Now we just need Bob Michel to come out and say he hates Ted Cruz and we will have the establishment anti-endorsement sown up tight!
Is Michel even alive still?
Yes, alive and kicking at the ripe old age of 92.
Bob was every Democrat’s favorite Republican; counted Dan Rostenkowski and Tip O’Neill as good friends. And why not? Michel never made waves and let the Dims do whatever they wanted. As I recall he presided over one of the smaller GOP minorities in the House in recent history.
And of course, the 1994 was Bob’s crowning achievement. Newt Gingrich and his allies were trying to get rid of Michel, who was convinced the GOP would never again be a majority in the House. So, he announced his retirement in ‘94; Newt issued the Contract With America and the rest is history.
I respect both Michel and Bob Dole for their military service; both were wounded in action. But they represented everything that was wrong with the GOP for much of their careers.
If Michel wants to retain what little credibility he has left, he’ll refuse to jump on the anti-Cruz bandwagon. But if he’s able to go after Cruz, he probably will; as a card-carrying member of the GOP-E, it’s reflexive.
Robert H. Michel turns 93 today.