By Bill Goodykoontz | Arizona Republic
If you’ve ever wondered why Sen. Jeff Flake talks tough against President Donald Trump and then so often votes for his policies, here’s your answer.
Not that it was ever a secret. Flake is a conservative — just a conservative who isn’t afraid to speak out against his party or his president. But few things are as predictable on social media as the outrage Flake generates when he wears his conscience on his sleeve (and on-camera).
At least some of the drama surrounding the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was enhanced by Flake’s call for an FBI investigation into allegations of sexual assault. Flake talked about how he was troubled by the allegations, sought and got an 11th-hour investigation — and then voted to confirm Kavanaugh.
During an appearance on “Citizen by CNN,” a political forum held Monday in New York, moderator Jake Tapper spent a half-hour chatting with Flake about all manner of things — including his sometimes seemingly contradictory speeches and votes.