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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump-GOP tensions over Syria show signs of easing Trump again vetoes resolution blocking national emergency for border wall Trump invites congressional leaders to meeting on Turkey MORE (R-Ky.) is highlighting praise from President Trump
Donald John TrumpWarren defends, Buttigieg attacks in debate that shrank the field Five takeaways from the Democratic debate in Ohio Democrats debate in Ohio: Who came out on top? MORE and victories in back-to-back Supreme Court nomination fights as he formally kicks off his reelection bid.
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump-GOP tensions over Syria show signs of easing Trump again vetoes resolution blocking national emergency for border wall Trump invites congressional leaders to meeting on Turkey MORE (R-Ky.) is highlighting praise from President TrumpDonald John TrumpWarren defends, Buttigieg attacks in debate that shrank the field Five takeaways from the Democratic debate in Ohio Democrats debate in Ohio: Who came out on top? MORE and victories in back-to-back Supreme Court nomination fights as he formally kicks off his reelection bid. McConnell's campaign rolled out a three-minute reelection launch video on Wednesday, as well as a new website, that leans heavily into his work on Trump's judicial picks, a top priority for the GOP leader.
The video opens with the fight over replacing the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and former President Obama's nomination of Merrick GarlandToday, we’re officially launching our re-election campaign. Check out our first video below and visit our new website here: https://t.co/8WMUul8jbX #KYSen pic.twitter.com/3EIanK8S4c
— Team Mitch (@Team_Mitch) April 17, 2019
Merrick Brian GarlandSupreme Court can prove its independence — or its partisan capture The Hill's 12:30 Report: Dems seize on Ukraine transcript in impeachment fight Brett Kavanaugh debate exemplifies culture war between left and right MORE, before pivoting to McConnell pledging to keep the seat open until after the 2016 election. The move infuriated Democrats but has been credited by GOP lawmakers as a driving force behind their ability to keep the Senate and win the White House.ADVERTISEMENT
It also highlights Trump's two Supreme Court nominees, Neil Gorsuch
Neil GorsuchDifficult issues involving human sexuality require dialogue, not scorn, misinformation Supreme Court can prove its independence — or its partisan capture Harris says Trump should be in 'timeout' from appointing a Supreme Court justice MORE and Brett Kavanaugh
Brett Michael KavanaughSusan Collins raises .1 million in third quarter Poll: 50 percent of Maine voters disapprove of Susan Collins's job performance Collins challenger raises .2 million in third quarter MORE, and McConnell's push to get them confirmed amid highly charged political battles. Republicans nixed the 60-vote filibuster for Supreme Court picks in order to confirm Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh was confirmed after sexual assault allegations, which he denied.
Neil GorsuchDifficult issues involving human sexuality require dialogue, not scorn, misinformation Supreme Court can prove its independence — or its partisan capture Harris says Trump should be in 'timeout' from appointing a Supreme Court justice MORE and Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughSusan Collins raises .1 million in third quarter Poll: 50 percent of Maine voters disapprove of Susan Collins's job performance Collins challenger raises .2 million in third quarter MORE, and McConnell's push to get them confirmed amid highly charged political battles. Republicans nixed the 60-vote filibuster for Supreme Court picks in order to confirm Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh was confirmed after sexual assault allegations, which he denied. "Let's let the American people decide who will Americans trust to nominate the next Supreme Court justice," McConnell says in a voiceover during the video, before adding that "the American people decided they wanted Donald Trump to make the nomination, not Hillary Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWarren defends, Buttigieg attacks in debate that shrank the field Democrats fear Ohio slipping further away in 2020 Poll: Warren leads Biden in Maine by 12 points MORE."
Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWarren defends, Buttigieg attacks in debate that shrank the field Democrats fear Ohio slipping further away in 2020 Poll: Warren leads Biden in Maine by 12 points MORE." McConnell is running for reelection for his seventh term in the Senate next year in a state where Trump remains deeply popular.
The video includes footage from a 2018 rally in Kentucky where Trump praised McConnell, who is shown waiting in the wings, as "one of the most powerful men in the world" and "rock-ribbed."
"There's nobody smarter," Trump adds. "I know a lot of tough people, he's tough."
The two men have had rocky periods, including in 2017 when the president floated that McConnell might have to step down after the failure to repeal and replace ObamaCare. But they've rebounded, sticking together closely on most policy and political fights with Trump likely to endorse the Senate GOP leader's reelection efforts.
In addition to judicial fights, which could help energize conservatives and quash a serious primary challenge, the video highlights the economy, the GOP tax plan and a provision included in the farm bill that legalizes hemp as an agricultural commodity, a major issue in Kentucky.
