That empowers Republican Senate mavericks such as Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas. South Carolina's Lindsay Graham has started publicly outlining places he might be willing to oppose Trump. The early stirrings of opposition from Senate Republicans are a sign that the New York businessman, who has never held public office, might run into harsh political realities soon after taking office on January 20. A senior Republican aide said McConnell is "loathe" to spend time trying to move bills that lack the needed Senate votes. Such swings by Democrats toward Republicans may be likelier ahead of the 2018 elections, when Democrats must defend more vulnerable Senate seats than Republicans.

Source: The Star November 22, 2016 12:28 UTC