In March 2021, nearly two months after a violent assault on the Capitol tried to disrupt the peaceful transfer of presidential power, Wyoming’s senior U.S. Sen. John Barrasso stood on the Senate floor and called for moderation in American politics.
Opinion
“We have a closely divided country,” the Republican said. “If you would think anything, that should be a mandate to move to the middle, to find common ground, to work for solutions.”
But it was a hollow sentiment, as many of Barrasso’s words in favor of bipartisanship have proven to be since he became a U.S. senator 17 years ago. In practically the next breath he attacked a Democrat-backed election reform bill he claimed made it “easier to defraud and cast doubt on every election in our future.”
But Barrasso isn’t exactly a beacon of hope for election integrity. While he voted to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election, the senator has never called out any of former President Donald Trump’s many lies about fraud securing the win for Biden.
Barrasso is one of many Republican leaders who have wholeheartedly endorsed Trump’s return to the White House, despite the former president’s pathetic claim that if he loses again, a rigged election is to blame. He’s only running to punish his enemies, feed his ego and stay out of jail.
Barrasso is also backing the half-baked U.S. Senate candidacy of Kari Lake of Arizona, one of his party’s most radical election deniers and a Trump loyalist who has never conceded defeat in her 2022 losing race for governor.
Last week Barrasso announced he will seek a fourth term, as widely expected. The orthopedic surgeon who became known as “Wyoming’s doctor” through KTWO-TV/Radio commentaries early in his career breezed to victory in every election since he was named to replace the late Sen. Craig Thomas in 2007. There is absolutely no reason to think the results in 2024 will be any different.
But his initial entry into politics in 1996 didn’t go so smoothly when he lost the GOP Senate primary to Mike Enzi. A pro-choice candidate, Barrasso’s media popularity helped him enter that crowded nine-way race as the favorite, but the physician withered under Enzi’s barrage of anti-abortion attacks.
Barrasso’s been running from that humiliation further to the right ever since and given his track record that rightward drift is likely to continue if Wyoming elects him for six more years.
By 2007, when Democratic Governor Dave Freudenthal chose Barrasso from the slate of candidates provided by the GOP to fill the remainder of Thomas’ term, he was no longer a moderate on abortion or most issues. His application for the job noted that he had “voted for prayer in schools, against gay marriage and [for] legislation to protect the sanctity of human life,” while serving in the Wyoming Senate.
In a 2011 WyoFile profile of Barrasso, Casper attorney Tom Sansonetti — who had also hoped to succeed Thomas — said the 1996 race against Enzi “served as a light switch for John.”
“It wasn’t something that occurred over time,” Sansonetti recalled. “He saw right there and then that a moderate Republican is going to come close but finish second.”
It was well understood in Wyoming’s political circles that Barrasso’s dream was to be in the U.S. Senate. I recall him visiting the Casper Star-Tribune, when I was coordinator of its editorial board, shortly after he was sworn in.
The only word I can think of to describe Barrasso’s mood that day is “giddy.” He marveled about how Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) was the only Democrat around when he took the oath of office. Afterward, he invited Barrasso and his two children, Peter and Emma, to his office, and they were admittedly starstruck looking at Kennedy’s family photos and letters collections.
“For us it was an incredible lesson in history and an incredible welcome to the Senate,” Barrasso said.
But unlike Enzi, who enjoyed collaborating with Democrats, especially Kennedy, Barrasso took a much more partisan approach to legislating. He was one of the GOP’s leading critics of then-President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, making frequent appearances on Fox News to issue apocalyptic, inaccurate warnings that it would take medicine out of physicians’ hands and put government bureaucrats in charge.
There were occasional forays into more moderate issues, including continuing the environmental legacy of Thomas, when Barrasso successfully sponsored the Wyoming Range Legacy Act. It protected most of a 100-mile-long mountain range south of Jackson from further oil and gas leasing.
But Barrasso has never sent a clear message on the dangers of climate change. In 2007, he warned energy producers of the inevitability of legislation to curb greenhouse gasses linked to global warming and urged them to get on board.
But by 2009, Barrasso flip-flopped. He told Environment and Energy Daily that he was “legislatively on the same page” as right-wing Sen. James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma). Remember him? Inhofe called climate change “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people,” and infamously brought a snowball to the Senate floor to “prove” global warming doesn’t exist.
Barrasso has since acknowledged humans contribute to climate change. But he has refused to call it a crisis and is furious about President Joe Biden’s “whole-of-government assault on American energy production.”
During Trump’s term in office, Barrasso was a loyal foot soldier, rarely disagreeing. In 2018, Barrasso was elected chair of the Senate Republican Conference, the chamber’s No. 3 GOP leadership position. He voted against convicting Trump in his two Senate impeachment trials.
Now that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) is leaving the post after the election, Barrasso wants the No. 2 position, Senate Republican whip. He told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that “we need Donald Trump back in the White House,” while enthusiastically praising his immigration, economic and energy policies.
How did Trump reward Barrasso for his loyalty? A few days later, Trump told a far-right Sheridan radio show that he had a very favorable opinion of Barrasso in 2016, but didn’t hear from him much toward the end of his presidency. “I sort of think he’s a good man, but he turned out to be really a flunky for Mitch McConnell,” Trump said.
By endorsing the likes of Lake in Arizona, Barrasso has signaled he’s all-in to give Trump a Republican majority, even if it results in a trainwreck. Lake would become the Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) of the Senate, ready to shut down the government, stop aid to Ukraine, and cause economic and political chaos wherever possible.
Lake has been linked to shady far-right figures, including QAnon conspiracy peddlers and Nazi sympathizers. She still proclaims she’s the “real governor” of Arizona, despite losing by 17,000 votes and having her lawsuits thrown out. Yet Barrasso was one of several U.S. senators who last month helped her raise $330,000 at a Washington, D.C., event.
“Kari Lake will shine brightly for Arizona,” Barrasso predicted. “She is a generational communicator who is giving voice to Arizona citizens.”
Last week, Lake told her supporters to get ready for an intense election. “We are going to put on the armor of God,” she said. “And maybe strap on a Glock on the side of us just in case.”
Would the 2007 version of Barrasso, pinching himself over his good fortune to make it to the Senate and meet people like Ted Kennedy, have any problem with foisting the likes of Kari Lake — or even worse candidates — on a gullible electorate?
Given that today Barrasso doesn’t seem to have any qualms about it, probably not. Perhaps obtaining such political power was his goal all along, but Wyoming deserves elected officials who serve the people and not their own egos.
The earth will be a pleasant place once we humans extinguish ourselves, and we’re heading full-tilt in exactly that direction. Too bad we will leave such a horrendous environmental mess for the remaining species. Hope none of them hurt themselves by tripping over useless electroeggmobiles and windmills and solar “farms”…
Mr Drake,
In your article you suggest if Kari Lake were in the Senate, she’d try to end financial support for Ukraine. Well Mr Barrasso and Ms Lummis did exactly that today. They distinguished themselves as 2 of only 15 Republican senators to vote against it. (Trump acolyte Hageman voted against it last week.) What Wyoming value does Putin represent?
As a senior statesman, Barrasso could do so much more. Imagine the effect he could have if he spoke up for responsible gun control. Instead he is content with his already-established legacy as the Senator most frequently photographed next to Trump and/or Mitch McConnell.
What a shame!
He also says he’s proud that his father was in the military, yet he supports a guy that calls veterans losers.
While not a fan of either Barrasso or Lummis they did the right thing this time.
How, in good conscience, can Congress vote for funding Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan when our own southern border is hemorrhaging illegal aliens from all over the world into the U.S.?
More so, our military is now a hollow force. For example, and most recently, the US Navy was incapable of deploying an Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) due to poorly maintained ships because of a lack of funding and a diversion of spare parts. Five of the of the last six ARG’s have failed to deploy on time.
Yet, our elected officials feel it is more important to fund other countries’ military forces while letting our own forces collapse from within inside.
While some use NIMBY as a method to shout against things occurring in their backyard, we need to focus inwards on our backyard.
The out-of-control spending, by Congress, and runaway inflation is impacting the American people on all levels. The devaluation of the US dollar through quantitative easing has eroded the United States’ position on the world economic stage.
It’s high time we secure our own borders, deport the illegal aliens, rebuild our military to ensure peace through strength, control spending, and disassemble the corrupt administration under the current regime.
As to the comment regarding responsible gun control. My question to you is how much is enough? There is a plethora of laws, rules, and policies pertaining to the lawful and unlawful ownership and use of firearms, with a checkerboard of such from the federal government, state to state, and localities.
Quite frankly, no other Right is regulated as much as the Second Amendment to the Constitution. When liberal prosecutors choose to enforce laws which are already on the books and hold accountable those persons who flippantly violate laws in defiance of a just, and orderly society will there be less chaos. Also, there will be less of a need for more “gun control” laws to be created. We may even see legislation to repeal useless and repetative laws. To that point, suicide by firearms is greater than murder by firearms and murder by those evil black guns, a.k.a. “assault weapons” only account for 3% of those murders (pew research center).
In fact, a person in the United States is more likely to die from heart disease than from a firearms related incident (CDC). Considering this fact, should we have responsible hamburger control?
But guns are the primary cause of death among children- if you care about that sort of thing.
John Barasso seems to bend to which ever the political wind is blowing. He is in this for himself regardless of what he is saying. Honestly I don’t feel he has the courage to stand up to anything controversial.
As a point of discussion , a question: Should Mark Gordon run for Barrasso’s Senate seat ? Eighteen years in the Senate is such a long time.
I once supported Guv Gordo . Voted for him , the first time. Didn’t take long to realize his promises of being a moderate more nonpartisan than not were just words. He was appeasing the far right wing of his tribe just a few months after taking office. Moreso to get re-elected. Still, he is the lesser of two Republican reprobates. Barrasso is too much of a shape shifter.
Wyoming needs better choices. Our Congressional delegation is embarrassing.
Interesting suggestion. I’m not a Republican, but I play one in the primary elections and did vote for Gordon in the last two primaries. I don’t agree with everything he does, but I have appreciated his efforts to keep a somewhat even keel over the last four years and during the pandemic. I would vote for him over any other Republican candidate in the mix at this point.
Deeply disappointed in Sen. Barrasso.
Why would an excellent orthopedic surgeon with a lucrative practice stop what he is doing and go into politics? Don’t give me that old song and dance about the call of public service. I’ll throw the yellow flag on that play. Just for giggles I’d like to compare his net worth before becoming a senator and now. It’s the money! And I’m not talkin the 200k salary that senators get!
His rating from the AMA indicates he was below average as a physician, a fact well known to every HS track coach in the state.
Since Senator Barrasso has an extreme right-wing opponent in his primary race, I predict that he’ll voice even more extreme views in the coming months. Where’s the voice of reason to offer real choice for Wyoming?
You forgot to mention Reid Rasner is his opponent and is winning in every single Straw Poll at the county level.
Mr Drake I appreciate your forthright comments regarding those of us on the other side of the debate. It would behoove you to remove adjectives such as pathetic when speaking of issues that are very much in play and not settled. As long as those of us on the right continue to allow your prejudicial comments to appear unchallenged we will continue to be in the backseat of the discussion.
To be clear global warming is not human caused and the crisis is a hoax It is the ultimate hubris of the human being to believe that we have ability to control the climate.
We do have the ability to help our fellow citizens live a more comfortable and fruitful life through policies that allow them to do just that. Coal, oil and gas are the engine of our economy they should not be viewed as demons, they are not, they allow us to live a lifestyle better than our ancestors. They are the backbone of our currency and our strength as a nation to deny that his lunacy.
This ignorance is why Barrasso is going more right wing goofy. He has to appeal to the gullibles who vote for him. Political preservation…..
Did you miss the single word at the top of the article “OPINION”? When giving one’s “opinion” one is free to use whatever adjectives one wants to. Just as you are free to give your “opinion” that climate change is a “hoax” as that’s all it is, an “opinion”, not fact, not science, “opinion” – and in my “opinion” it’s a very uneducated “opinion”.
Totally agree with your assessment and historical review of Barrasso’s flip-flop, follow the money, track record. Regardless of science, regardless of the criminal acts by Trump, regardless of common sense and human sentiment, JB is lost in his quest for power at all costs. I think he sees the inhumanity of Trump as a beacon to get re-elected in Wyoming. Sadly, he and his autocrat seeking presidential candidate will likely win again in our home state.
a letter written and sent to Sen. J. Barrasso on january 12, 2024, requesting a response, to date one has not arrived.
Senator J. Barrasso,
Please stop talking with the children of Wyoming, you do not represent real Wyoming values and are in no moral position to speak with children on any topic.
You are partisan predicable and you must also be a 2020 election denier if you are now officially supporting Trump in 2024.
January 06th was the most significant American political event in my life time and I’m 62. An embarrassment on global scale and with your support of Trump you are now culpable in all of his crimes and indiscretions.
91 current felony counts, 4 current indictments, 62 court cases filed and lost with no evidence of election/voter fraud in 2020. Is your support a political and financial lifeline so Trump can access republican party funds to help him play his many legal bills?
Please stop speaking with the children of Wyoming.
You have really accomplished very little for the real citizens of Wyoming.
Now +/- 37,000 Wyoming citizens have access to healthcare through the affordable care act in a very challenging state. Wyoming is now ranked 33rd in the nation in health care when we were 19th in 2019. You did not vote for or support the affordable care act, tried to repeal it a few times and still more than a decade have not presented a real alternative as promised many times.
How many Americans and Wyoming citizens were misled by your partisan message and have not signed up when they could have and should have but have gone without.
Your voting record tenancies would indicate that had you been in the governor position you most likely would have also turned your back citizens of Wyoming who experience food insecurity and not accepted the federal government program. Reliable statistics report 1 in 8 or estimate 13,000 Wyoming children experience food shortages as you know this is increased in summer time when school is out of session.
You also not surprisingly did not support American Rescue Plan Act extension and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, no surprise there. I’m sure you have a similar program that will be presented sometime “soon”.
You supported the largest tax relief for the upper economic citizens in recent history which had little or no benefit for most Wyoming citizens. With all the new trucks on our Wyoming roads, when I get a chance I love to ask new owners, “did you buy that with tax break money”, I have never seen bewilderment on so many faces, followed by the usual response, “I did see any benefit from that tax break”!
Please stop speaking with the children of Wyoming.
Although I would disagree with L. Cheney on many issues, I will forever respect her for her call “the emperor has no clothes” and the professional way the January 06 trials were conducted. She knew her political future when she stood for America and for the principal as Americans we (most) stand, for Wyoming and for democracy. Letting the election chips fall where they may, she lost and she was replaced.
As a lifelong democrat I empathize with the republican party over the last several years, what a mess.
If American is going to continue with a 2 party system, we need a strong republican party. I don’t really see a path toward that objective, between the lunatic fringe of the far right that you all can’t seem to reel in and old guard partisan policy obstinance of Team Mitch you all have not led from the front and the mess of your party is rudderless and of your own doing.
Your legacy is really one of team Mitch’s non-cooperation, a policy likened to immature children.
Wyoming is not alone with misguided state and federal level representatives and as much as I love my home state I hardly recognize a majority of citizens who have guzzled from the kool-aide stand you operate at the federal level that now trickles down with dysfunctional influence of our state legislators. Although we have a good one in there from Sublette county.
Not all American issues are Wyoming issues, our state legislature is a microcosm of the mess of your party. What a shame.
Please stop speaking with the children of Wyoming.
For your information I am a 3rd generation western Wyoming native. Wyoming is deep in my DNA unlike an eastern transplant such as yourself. My family has long history in ranching and mineral extraction of coal, trona, oil & gas.
One small example, when coal mines shut down in Blazon, Superior and others due to demand changes based on the evolution from coal to diesel to run the UPRR, people didn’t blame it on politics, it was called progress, and my past generation family moved to where the jobs were.
Coal is downtrend and will continue to do so, if you think politicians have control of this you would like most Wyoming citizens who don’t really understand how the energy extraction business really works. You stand on your soap box blaming this Biden’s environmental policies but the fact is the oil extraction business died when your president was in the white house through ignorant policies.
Over the last several years there have been tens of millions of acres already leased without even a single location prepared. There is no shortage of currently leased state and federal land no matter how many times you make claims to the contrary about Biden’s environmental policies.
And yet the gang of 3 are quick to show up for a photo op when Bill Gates decides to invest in a new uranium technology in Kemmerer which to the best of my knowledge had little or nothing to do with you all.
Please stop speaking with the children of Wyoming.
What lessons are you teaching our youth?
If you lose, deny the results? Spin the outcome and try change the truth through constitutional illegal actions and violence?
Or should one learn the hard lessons of life that sometimes despite your best effort, you just lose. Learn from it, develop a better strategy, work harder, field a better team and try again. That is a Wyoming value, that’s what I teach the children in my family.
As an obvious Trump loyalist, you preach the former, I was born, raised and live the latter.
Please stop speaking with the children of Wyoming.
I think it’s time you call it a career and move on, please.
You have done enough damage to our state and country through effort and negligence for one life time. You have been McConnell’s shadow for decades, now holding him up as his days are finally numbered and with your recent re-endorsement of Trump in 2024 you must be looking for a new shadow to stand behind.
If you don’t have decency to call it a day, at least realize the damage you cause to our future generations and please stop speaking with the children of Wyoming.
Sincerely
Kurt Durrant
Pinedale
Wow! That is a great letter! You are 100% correct. Absolutely quit talking to the children.
“I sort of think he’s a good man, but he turned out to really be a flunky for Mitch McConnell,” Trump said. That may be the only true sentence Trump has ever uttered. In the mean time, all of the Trump flunkies have abandoned the orange menace. Of course he still has the three goofballs from Wyoming. You know, the ones that were willing to disregard the peoples vote, and continue to lie about it.
Barrasso sends out his nonsense on a weekly basis, and it’s filled with misinformation and propaganda. Really, all three are disingenuous Trump worshipers. I personally can’t imagine a doctor wanting to be a politician, the two occupations are at odds with one another. All three of our “reps” are a threat to Democracy and a threat to the public lands in Wyoming. They would love to eliminate all of it. All three should be voted out of office.
Despite my progressive political leanings, I actually miss Wyoming’s “moderate” republicans of the past. At least back then we could rely on them to work with fellow congress people of both parties to pass reasonable legislation……, but I might be delusional because our present Wyoming goof balls are so far out of touch. Regretfully, our state is getting a reputation for its far right politics and attracting more autocratic government supporters.