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MinM

(2,650 posts)
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 09:48 AM Apr 2013

Secret Tape: McConnell and Aides Weighed Using Judd's Mental Health and Religion as Political Ammo

@owillis: Secret Tape: McConnell and Aides Weighed Using Judd's Mental Health and Religion as Political Ammo

https://twitter.com/owillis/status/321616667803271168

Secret Tape: McConnell and Aides Weighed Using Judd's Mental Health and Religion as Political Ammo

A recording of a private meeting between the Senate GOP leader and campaign aides reveals how far they were willing to go to defeat the actor/activist.

By David Corn on Tue. April 9, 2013 3:00 AM PDT

On February 2, Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the US Senate, opened up his 2014 reelection campaign headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, and in front of several dozen supporters vowed to "point out" the weaknesses of any opponent fielded by the Democrats. "They want to fight? We're ready," he declared. McConnell was serious: Later that day, he was huddling with aides in a private meeting to discuss how to attack his possible Democratic foes, including actor/activist Ashley Judd, who was then contemplating challenging the minority leader. During this strategy session—a recording of which was obtained by Mother Jones—McConnell and his aides considered assaulting Judd for her past struggles with depression and for her religious views.

Last month, Judd announced she wouldn't challenge McConnell, whose reelection campaign could become one of the most watched races of the 2014 cycle (if a serious Democratic opponent emerges). But at the February 2 meeting, McConnell and his team were fixated on Judd. McConnell told his aides that at the early stage of the campaign they had to clobber any potential challenger:

I assume most of you have played the, the game Whac-A-Mole?” (Laughter.) This is the Whac-A-Mole period of the campaign…when anybody sticks their head up, do them out...

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/mitch-mcconnell-ashley-judd-secret-tape-senate

@NYMag: A secret tape reveals Mitch McConnell's team planned to use Ashley Judd's mental health against her.

https://twitter.com/NYMag/status/321616774950969344
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Secret Tape: McConnell and Aides Weighed Using Judd's Mental Health and Religion as Political Ammo (Original Post) MinM Apr 2013 OP
Republicans are slimy, dirty bastards. lastlib Apr 2013 #1
Bastards implys human, I think not. xtraxritical Apr 2013 #2
Did Mitch McConnell use senate employees for oppo research on Ashley Judd? MinM Apr 2013 #3
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