Senator Joni Ernst Disengages from Trump Veep-Stakes

Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump spent some of the Fourth of July with freshman Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA).  Many have speculated that the visit was an overture to have the former Army Reserve Lt. Col. turned politician to join him on the GOP ticket

.


But Senator Ernst sought to shoot down speculation about the Veep-Stakes by emphasizing how she is best positioned to help a prospective President Trump in the Senate.




Senator John Corker (R-TN) also moved to disengage from consideration as Donald Trump's running mate. This was news to Trump Spokesman Katrina Pierson on CNN.  But true to the Trump campaign's animus, they denied the veracity of the Washington Post piece about Corker's withdrawal, even though the originating source was...Senator Bob Corker. 

Senator Bob Bennett on the Tea Party

It should be noted that three term former Senator Bennett lost to Mike Lee in 2010 during the GOP State Convention to choose their nominee.  Bennett was the son of Senator Wallace Forest Bennett (R-UT) who served from 1951-1974. 

It seems that the Establishment prefers the Cocktail Party on Capitol Hill rather than the Tea Party who will challenge the status quo.  In the 114th Congress, political junkies will discern if newly elected Senators like Senator-elect Joni Ernst (R-IA), Senator-elect Ben Sasse (R-NB), Senator-elect Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Senator-elect Cory Gardner (R-CO) opt for the establishment or seek to shake up the Senate GOP caucus. 

Jon Huntsman, Sr. is another storied name in Utah politics, recently opined that Republican's don't have a prayer in Presidential politics unless they nominate a moderate like Jon Huntsman, Jr. or Jeb Bush.  It is certainly understandable that Huntsman would unwavingly support his son, but plugging for Jeb screams of dynasty and an orientation of establishment.   

Time will tell if Senator Bennett and Jon Huntman's prognostications are prophetic or echoes of an earlier age.