Sen. Jeff Flake reflects on Republican Party in new book

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Sen. Jeff Flake is in for a tough fight in his bid for re-election and the core principle of conservatism is forcing the Republican to take a long look at his party.

"I think we are at risk for being compromised by things like intense nationalism, populism, protectionism, isolationism, and anti-immigration," he said. "I don't think that populism is a governing philosophy. If we want to stay in the majority as Republicans. If we actually want to accomplish conservative things, then we need to change."

That statement echoes his sentiment in a brand new book entitled "Conscience of a Conservative." An excerpt appeared online today, essentially placing blame for the instability in the White House on the silence of his fellow conservatives.

Flake refers his party's "binary thinking" to the hope of the Obama's "failure would be our success."

In the end after eight years and a dramatic vote last weekend, Flake says the GOP's floundering attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare puts the part at a major crossroad.

"I think we've about reached the limits of what we can do with one party," he said. "I think we're going to have to involve the other party."