Larry Hogan, the Republican candidate for the Senate in Maryland, tweeted this a few days ago, before the Stormy Daniels/Karen McDougal verdict,
Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders—regardless of party—must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law.
At the time he had no idea how the jury would decide.
Now, given the outcome, I personally don't agree with Hogan. I do not respect the verdict or the legal process that came up with it. But still that's a pretty innocuous tweet. And it's probably something Hogan thought would help his candidacy in deep blue Maryland.
Well, the reaction of some of Trump's biggest supporters is over the top. Chris LaCivita, his campaign adviser, said Hogan just ended his campaign. Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), said Hogan doesn't deserve the respect of any Republican or any American. She declined to say whether the RNC would withhold money from Hogan's campaign.
This is nuts. Larry Hogan may not be the ideal candidate of some Republicans. But would they rather have another Susan Collins in the Senate, or another Elizabeth Warren?
The irony is that if Trump had been acquitted, then LaCivita and Lara Trump would agree 100% with Hogan's tweet. Because Trump was later found guilty, now they're stabbing Hogan in the back.
Sometimes it seems like Trump and his insiders have been on a mission, ever since the Georgia Senate runoffs in 2021, to kneecap Republican candidates running for national office. The primary requisite for running appears to be fealty to Donald Trump. It should be whether the candidate can win the general election.
The Republican Party has become the party of one man, Donald Trump. Sad.