WASHINGTON, D.C.: The death of senator John McCain has left his Republican party ever more firmly in the hands of Donald Trump, without a voice willing to challenge the president’s most extreme statements and policies. McCain’s death could give Trump even greater leverage over a rightward-tilting Republican party as he fights for his political life against the Russia meddling and obstruction investigations. In a bitterly fractured Washington, McCain feistily stood up against extremism and worked across party lines to build consensus in a Senate split 51-49 for Republicans. The deep enmity between Trump and McCain was clear in the fracas over whether the White House would keep its flags at half-staff in McCain’s honor. Trump only finally agreed to honor McCain Monday after heavy pressure from politicians, veterans groups and reportedly his staff.

Source: Manila Times August 29, 2018 16:41 UTC