|
 |
 |
|
McConnell’s wisdom
-
08/04/09 12:40 PM ET
After winning a bruising election last November, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) knew that his GOP colleague, Sen. Jim Bunning (Ky.), could not win reelection in 2010.
McConnell refused to endorse Bunning, which made it very difficult for the former major-league pitcher to raise the millions of dollars needed to retain his seat.
Throughout 2009, Bunning lashed out at McConnell, who never publicly fired back.
When Bunning announced he was not going to seek a third term, he said, “Over the past year, some of the leaders of the Republican Party in the Senate have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising.”
How did McConnell respond? He simply issued a statement saying he was honored to work by Bunning’s side.
The minority leader could have sat back and done the easy thing — endorse Bunning and then watch him lose next November.
In many ways, Bunning is fortunate to have won his second term, capturing only 51 percent of the vote in 2004, which was a good year for Republicans at the polls. Despite being an incumbent, the irascible and gaffe-prone Bunning would have been an underdog in the general election.
McConnell is well-aware that the electoral landscape in the Senate is not good for Republicans in 2010, but because of his actions this year, Republicans have a fighting chance to retain Bunning’s seat.
Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson is expected to win the Republican primary, though Rand Paul, the son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), is mulling a run. The GOP nominee will face either state Attorney General Jack Conway or Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, who lost to Bunning six years ago.
Bunning noted earlier this year that McConnell has been GOP leader as Senate Republicans have lost 15 seats over the last two election cycles. There are many reasons that Republicans lost so much power in the upper chamber that have nothing to do with McConnell. But in politics, leadership is gauged by wins and losses, and McConnell needs some wins in 2010. Otherwise, other Republicans in the Senate may seek to oust him as minority leader.
As difficult and politically awkward as it was, McConnell showed leadership in pushing Bunning out of the race. Democrats wanted to face Bunning next year, and while they are not conceding the race, their effort to nab the seat has become much more challenging.
McConnell refused to endorse Bunning, which made it very difficult for the former major-league pitcher to raise the millions of dollars needed to retain his seat.
When Bunning announced he was not going to seek a third term, he said, “Over the past year, some of the leaders of the Republican Party in the Senate have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising.”
How did McConnell respond? He simply issued a statement saying he was honored to work by Bunning’s side.
The minority leader could have sat back and done the easy thing — endorse Bunning and then watch him lose next November.
In many ways, Bunning is fortunate to have won his second term, capturing only 51 percent of the vote in 2004, which was a good year for Republicans at the polls. Despite being an incumbent, the irascible and gaffe-prone Bunning would have been an underdog in the general election.
McConnell is well-aware that the electoral landscape in the Senate is not good for Republicans in 2010, but because of his actions this year, Republicans have a fighting chance to retain Bunning’s seat.
Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson is expected to win the Republican primary, though Rand Paul, the son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), is mulling a run. The GOP nominee will face either state Attorney General Jack Conway or Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, who lost to Bunning six years ago.
Bunning noted earlier this year that McConnell has been GOP leader as Senate Republicans have lost 15 seats over the last two election cycles. There are many reasons that Republicans lost so much power in the upper chamber that have nothing to do with McConnell. But in politics, leadership is gauged by wins and losses, and McConnell needs some wins in 2010. Otherwise, other Republicans in the Senate may seek to oust him as minority leader.
As difficult and politically awkward as it was, McConnell showed leadership in pushing Bunning out of the race. Democrats wanted to face Bunning next year, and while they are not conceding the race, their effort to nab the seat has become much more challenging.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
