Maybe We Want Buck to Burn it All Down
Congressman Ken Buck, the outspoken and independent Republican from Colorado, has announced his decision to not seek reelection.
In his three-minute video, Buck not only criticized Democratic policies but also turned his ire towards fellow Republicans, accusing them of being “obsessively fixated on retribution and vengeance for contrived injustices of the past.”
This comes as no surprise to those on Capitol Hill, as Buck has gained national prominence for his stance against former President Donald Trump and his baseless claims about the 2020 election. While other Republicans have chosen to amplify Trump's lies, Buck, with his background as a federal prosecutor, has remained steadfast in his commitment to the truth.
But it seems Buck's principled stand has cost him politically in his home state of Colorado. Under pressure, Buck has decided to step away from Congress, a move that was celebrated by Trump on social media. Trump even went as far to say that Buck was “auditioning” for a network TV job, accusing him of being unable to win against the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.
Buck's decision to leave Congress has raised concerns among conservatives. While he may have been an outsider in his party, Buck was still an influential member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, known for their disruptive tactics and hard-liner conservative views. His departure leaves a gap in the conservative movement, and his absence will be felt in the halls of Congress.
Throughout his five terms in Congress, Buck has been a vocal proponent of conservative policies. However, he has also resisted the populist sentiment that has taken over the GOP under Trump's leadership. This has led to public feuds with Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has called Buck a "CNN wannabe."
Buck's experience in constitutional law and his work as a federal prosecutor have shaped his principled approach to politics. He has always prioritized the Constitution and the separation of powers, something he learned during the Iran-Contra investigation while working for then-Rep. Dick Cheney. But as he has seen the polarization and lack of bipartisanship in Washington, Buck has become frustrated with the current state of politics, don’t take our word for it. Ask Buck, he isn’t shy about his current dissatisfaction with the political party he has been so identified.
Buck's departure from Congress is a loss for both sides of the aisle.
Despite his conservative views, he has gained respect and admiration from Democrats such as Rep. Joe Neguse and former Rep. David Cicilline, with whom he worked closely on antitrust legislation to rein in the power of big tech companies.
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KEN BUCKS THE FREEDOM CAUCUS. IS HE A SELLOUT OR THE GOP’S SAVIOR?
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His willingness to stand up to his own party leadership has earned him praise from Cicilline, who called him a principled leader who does what he thinks is right.
However, Buck's decision to leave Congress raises concerns about the state of conservative politics. It's time for Republicans to truly reflect on the direction of their party, and as a replacement for Buck begins, they must ask if tearing each other down is the best way forward.