Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) observed that his new colleague Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) has just made "the same mistake" that cost him the 2012 presidential election. Romney began his Senate tenure by publishing an op-ed accusing President Trump of destroying the U.S.'s relationship with her allies abroad, as well as failing to live up to the office of the presidency with his unorthodox character.
"Trump’s words and actions have caused dismay around the world," Romney wrote in the Washington Post.
Perdue shares his disappointment with Romney in his WaPo opinion piece. The Georgia senator shared his op-ed with the follow introduction.
"Like others who have run for president and failed, Mitt Romney has taken a stance that smacks of jealousy and resentment," Perdue wrote on Twitter. "The mainstream media and Democrats want to further divide Republicans, and Romney has played right into their hands."
GOP Sen. David Perdue in WaPo: 'Mitt Romney makes the same mistake that cost him the White House.' https://t.co/LFH6TQa7t7 'Last thing we need now in the Senate is a Jeff Flake on steroids.' pic.twitter.com/dxX1BseWhF
— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 5, 2019
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) was one of Trump's most vocal critics in the GOP. He even wrote a book, Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle, in which he blamed the president for compromising the movement's character. Trump, of course, had no issues hitting back at Flake, including up to this week.
“Jeff Flake is now selling real estate, or whatever he’s doing," Trump said. "He’ll probably go to work for CNN. That’s my prediction.”
Trump and his team had their own retorts for Romney's scathing op-ed. Like Perdue, they mentioned Romney's failed run for the White House. What right did he have to criticize Trump's behavior in the Oval Office when he couldn't even get there?
The truth is @MittRomney lacked the ability to save this nation. @realDonaldTrump has saved it. Jealously is a drink best served warm and Romney just proved it. So sad, I wish everyone had the courage @realDonaldTrump had. https://t.co/mbxoTqbSX6
— Brad Parscale (@parscale) January 2, 2019
Even his niece, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel, publicly berated her uncle for his ever unhelpful comments.
POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive. https://t.co/ArhI7Bi7bo
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) January 2, 2019