Politics Talk. Trump has defeated the Republican political establishment.

via CNN

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, will not run for re-election, he said Tuesday in a blistering speech on the Senate floor that bemoaned the "coarsening" tenor of politics in the United States.

Flake denounced the "complicity" of his own party in what he called an "alarming and dangerous state of affairs" under Trump, blaming the President for setting the tone. In his speech, Flake assailed a "flagrant disregard for truth or decency" and attacked a "regular and casual undermining of our democratic norms."
"When such behavior emanates from the top of our government, it is something else: It is dangerous to a democracy," Flake said.

Story here. 

You've already heard about this unless you've been hiding under a rock but I want to push forward my own pet theory.

First, the "conventional wisdom" is wrong.  I've heard more than a few reporters openly talk about leadership asking Flake to step aside so that a mainstream Republican could win his seat.

Seems as if Mr. Flake isn't too popular with Republicans in Arizona, so no, this is not a demonstration of courage/self sacrifice.

Dude just saw the writing on the wall and bailed before he was pushed.

This does raise an interesting issue in my mind.

For better or worse, Trump has defeated the political establishment of the Republican party.

The primary season and the election proved this to be true, but everyone (including me) got frozen because Trump allowed the Senate to enact their pet projects while putting his own agenda on the back burner.

I believe that was simply Trump playing nice.

The Republican party as espoused by the elite is dead.  Free trade is being replaced with fair trade.  Open borders is being replaced with tight immigration controls.  International agreements will be nation to nation instead of huge agreements between entire blocs of countries.

The only thing that is keeping this from being a complete rout is the seeming allegiance to Republican elite's military policy.  In particular his allowing the war on terror to expand into Africa and the continued push to label Russia as a potential threat to European countries.

My guess is that this tax bill attempt will be the final "gimmee" to the elite.  If they fail then I expect Trump's advisors to have him pivot over to infrastructure, law and order, and a continuation of shedding rules and regulations via his cabinet secretaries.

We've just witnessed the defeat of the Neo-Con/Elite political power in the Republican party.  The same WILL HAPPEN to the Democrats.  The only reason why it hasn't is because they have more factions under their tent and tend to focus more on social issues rather than issues of govt.

American politics has been changed forever because of Trump.  The only question is what happens to those establishment/elite?  Could they form a new political party?  Will Trump decide to dump the Republicans and run as an independent?

Who knows but it will be real interesting to watch.