The establishment-backed Thom Tillis emerged victorious in yesterday’s Republican primary in North Carolina. Glenn had favored the FreedomWorks and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) endorsed Greg Brannon in the race. Tillis will now face incumbent Senator Kay Hagen (D-NC) in the November’s general election. On radio this morning, Glenn reacted to the establishment GOP’s victory in the state and reflected on the state of the Republican Party as it relates to congressional action and the future.
“So last night wouldn't be exactly what I would call a banner night for the TEA Party,” Glenn said on radio this morning. “[Matt] Bevin [in Kentucky] is next. Now they're going to target Bevin… You put money into the GOP. And what are they doing? ‘Mitch McConnell is the guy.’ Oh my gosh, I have never felt more betrayed in my life.”
Earlier this week, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) appointed Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) to head a select committee to investigate the 2012 Benghazi attacks.
“With four of our countrymen killed at the hands of terrorists, the American people want answers, accountability, and justice,” Boehner said. “Trey Gowdy is as dogged, focused and serious-minded as they come. His background as a federal prosecutor and his zeal for the truth make him the ideal person to lead this panel. I know he shares my commitment to get to the bottom of this tragedy and will not tolerate any stonewalling from the Obama Administration.”
Gowdy was first elected to Congress in 2010, and he has made a name for himself for not shying away from asking tough questions and getting to the bottom of the issues. For those who would truly like to get to the bottom of what happened in Benghazi that fateful night, Gowdy is a great pick. But Glenn believes that his selection could turn out to be a setup.
“I'm telling you, Trey Gowdy is in trouble. And here's why I say this. Trey Gowdy was selected to run the Benghazi hearings for what reason? Why would John Boehner pick Trey Gowdy,” Glenn asked. “May I give you a hypothesis? I think John Boehner is doing it because it's a win-win situation for John Boehner.”
The way Glenn sees it, these investigations will surely reveal crimes and cover ups that should come with severe punishment.
“The things that are going on in you're country are impeachable offenses,” Glenn said. “This is not Monica Lewinsky… This is dangerous, impeachable stuff that we're talking about… But nobody wants to do that… The American people don't have the stomach for it… The people in Washington don't have the stomach for it.”
So what will happen?
“Trey Gowdy is going to be the guy who's leading this investigation, and he is going to go out like a pit bull, and he's going to dig stuff up. And what did the White House already say? ‘This is an illegitimate investigation.’ ‘We're totally fine with talking to somebody who's reasonable, but he's not even reasonable.’ Well, hang on just a second. Isn't that what John McCain said about Ted Cruz [during the government shutdown],” Glenn asked. “The Republicans put Trey Gowdy in charge because… once this investigation starts to really dig things up, and the machinery turns on, and it needs somebody to grind, it won't grind the GOP. It will grind the TEA Party. You mark my words: That's what's coming. That's why [Boehner] did it.”
The GOP has proven it is not going to stand up for the TEA Party or the more conservative elements of the Republican Party. Glenn believes they have successfully painted the TEA Party into a corner, but this is not the time to compromise on principles.
"The GOP is not even standing for us. We're alone… I've got to change my approach. We have to change our language. We have to go in a different direction because they've painted us in this corner, and they are very effective. We cannot compromise our principles. We cannot compromise what we believe in. But we can't play the game that they have been playing,” Glenn concluded. “It only gets worse from here. I ask you to reflect. Think back in the last 18 months how many things have changed. How bad are things today compared to where they were 18 months ago… Where do you think we are in 18 months from now – especially if the GOP has the reins off them? Holy cow. Change your thinking. Change the world.”