Post-Election Interview

A few weeks ago, a young lady from Missouri State University interviewed me about the election results. Here are her questions and my answers.

1. How do you believe Josh Hawley will affect the people of Missouri while in Senate? How will he affect national policy?

The recent election was more about the President than it was about a Senator. Hawley is a symbol of the Trump Presidency for Missouri. He will energize the base that is unquestionably loyal of the President, but he will alienate further those outside the core of supporters. He will more than likely be a team player on national policy by following the lead of the President and Senate leadership.

2. What is your opinion on Hawley’s “ladder-climber” campaign back in 2017, promising not to use his Attorney General position to gain further political positions?

Although Hawley may not have intended to deceive voters with his campaign that implied he would not use the office of Attorney General to seek to the office of U.S. Senator, to reverse course and pursue the very office indicated in his ads was an explicit breaking of promises and showed a lack of character and respect for the voters. I find it difficult to trust him.

3. Do you believe Hawley will positively or negatively affect Missourians and the general Senate?

There will be some positive effects on many Missourians as long as the state remains red for President Trump. He will positively affect the Senate for the Republicans and their agenda, but the Senate will continue to move toward partisanship. His negative effect on Missourians will not become immediately apparent but will bubble up over time. Once Trump leaves office by 2024, the political landscape will shift, and the White House may flip. More than likely Hawley's seat will flip with it, and the negative effects will be evident in hindsight.

4. How will Josh Hawley affect you, and other Missouri politicians while he is in office?

Both politicians and their supporters learned during the Primary election that they have no voice. Hard work by campaigns and sacrifices of supporters were ignored and silenced by leadership within the Republican party. Hawley's term of office will be a constant reminder for politicians and voters that they are powerless and have no choice. A select few decide on candidates and the future for the parties.

5. What led you to politically identify as a Libertarian and what made you run for the 2018 Senate election?

I spent most of my life as a Republican. I first became frustrated in the 2008 election as John McCain did not represent me. As I soul-searched for the next eight years, I realized that the party had drifted from its core conservative values of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty. I learned of Rand Paul and backed him for the 2016 election until he dropped out. That left a void for me that the other candidates could not fill. I discovered that the Libertarian Pary held similar beliefs to my own and I became involved locally during that election. I was disturbed by the division and anger taking place during and following that election and how it affected children. I accepted the request from the local leadership to run for office because I wanted to provide a message of hope and prove that politics can rise above negativity.

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