Does Mitch have LaPierre’s back?
He'll do anything to win his primary, which means sabotaging gun control, plus other confusing moves
BY ALEX PAREENE
I owe Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a minor apology. I said he was being very silly when he demanded an FBI investigation into the recording of a meeting at his campaign office. In fact, the meeting actually was surreptitiously recorded by his political enemies, or at least by a guy who operates a useless super PAC that has, thus far, spent a total of $18 on defeating McConnell. McConnell probably didnt lose much sleep awaiting my apology, though, because the recording, and the news of its provenance, are just about the best things that have happened to the guy since the D.C. circuit court gave McConnell veto power over all of President Obamas appointments.
McConnells very good week might not end up meaning very much, though, if the United States Senate manages, somehow, to pass major legislation on gun control and immigration any time soon. Because whenever the United States Senate manages to accomplish anything, conservatives get very irate with Mitch McConnell for allowing it to happen.
McConnell is reviled by the right-wing activist base, for reasons that, honestly, I dont quite get. McConnell is up for reelection next year. He is working right now to prevent the possibility of a serious primary challenge. Hes succeeding, so far, but candidates have until next January to make up their minds. Thats a lot of time for some Ron Johnson type to emerge.
(It is a bit unusual for a Republican Senate leader to be in such a precarious electoral position. Republicans are generally smarter than Democrats when it comes to selecting leaders who arent under the constant threat of losing their next election. Harry Reid has proven himself to be a competent Majority Leader in some ways, but the fact that he answers to Nevada voters makes him quite willing to ignore liberal priorities on any number of issues. McConnell, like many Republican members of Congress, is more vulnerable to a primary challenge than a Democrat, though hes unpopular enough to need to fear both.)
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http://www.salon.com/2013/04/15/mitchs_eyes_are_on_2014/