Jeff Flake occupies a complicated position in the public discourse in the resistance movement. For many, his tenure as the senator from Arizona was distinguished by his vocal opposition to President Trump, and many speeches to that effect. However, he has not taken any tangible action to resist the subversion of our democracy and the subversion of conservative ideals.
In that sense, he inhabits a complicated position with no readily available constituency, which is perhaps correlated with his decision to retire in 2018. He constantly disappointed liberals, who placed a good degree of faith in his calls for bipartisanship and unity, but he never seemed to deliver anything of substance. Yes, he was always the first senator to respond to the president’s controversial tweets or statements, but it never went beyond his words. At some point, I found myself tired and utterly confused by his constant stream of speeches. Who was this person, and what did he stand for, I thought to myself many times.
So when I heard that Flake was coming to Vanderbilt, I was immediately intrigued. Listening to Flake was my first time hearing a former or sitting senator speak live, and the fact that he remained relevant and active in the politics of today excited me. Of course, my intrigue increased when I realized that Jon Meacham, Rogers Professor of the Presidency and award-winning historian, would be moderating the event. For me, Meacham represents everything Donald Trump is not, and I felt he would direct Flake toward a civil and intelligent conversation while at the same time being informative.
As far as the conversation went, I was pleasantly surprised. Flake’s book is called Conscience of a Conservative, and for the most part, his manor of speaking on current issues lived up to the values and promises implied in the conservatism of the mid-late twentieth century. He spoke at length on his personal support for civil rights and racial equality, which is an arena where he has broken with his party and its leader, and has been a true supporter of equality for Americans of all backgrounds.
Additionally, he broke with his party and denounced the vilification of immigrants and refugees, particularly those at the Southern border. He seemed to be invested in the notion that immigrants coming to the United States seek the opportunities for themselves and their children, and work hard to make this country better. In this exchange, I thought Flake had his strongest moments, and revealed an authenticity he otherwise seemed to lack before I saw him.
In the end, Flake left a complicated legacy at the event, and in his tenure as a senator. One cannot deny that he is both intelligent and well-spoken, or that he loves his country. Notwithstanding, he still lacked the courage of his convictions at the moments where it mattered most, and in the situations where he could have made a difference, there is no excuse. I believe he won’t be remembered as the great conservative thinker that he wants to be, but I do think he will forever carry the “I tried” banner.