It's not a coincidence that all five are considered remnants of the Republican Party of George W. Bush and have struggled to adjust to the new Trump-led GOP. He had spent a lifetime in politics -- including a stint in House leadership -- and is a close ally of Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky). Given the clear signals of where the GOP is -- and where its heading -- its uniquely possible that more retirements among Republican establishment Senators will come. While pundits like to debate over who really controls the Republican Party now, the actions of the likes of Blunt and Portman say it all: This is Donald Trump's Republican Party. And the past GOP establishment isn't really welcome.

Source: CNN March 08, 2021 17:48 UTC