KY-SEN: McConnell Ready To Execute 'Plan D' To Push Bunning Out Of Race?

[ccharles000]

It seems that the latest efforts by allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to force Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) out of his re-election bid and try to save the GOP's most-vulnerable Senate seat in 2010 has hit yet another road block and there are hints that a "Plan D" is on the horizon.

Let's recount.

Plan A (Jan 2009):

GOAL: Top Republicans raise concerns about Bunning's ability to win in 2010 and begin public efforts to nudge him out of the race, hoping to tap rising-star Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R) to run for the seat. Republicans know that Bunning is Grayson's mentor and would not likely primary him.

ACTION: On January 23, 2009, during remarks at the National Press Club, McConnell said (in answer to a question), "Senator Bunning has not announced his intentions yet and until he does I'm not going to engage in speculation about the Kentucky Senate race." The problem is that Bunning had been very clear for years about his plans to run for re-election.

RESULT: Failed. Bunning said, defiantly, that he's remaining in the race and points finger at McConnell for stirring-up trouble by saying he didn't know whether Bunning was running. Bunning specifically said McConnell must have suffered "a lapse of memory" since they met about his re-election intentions in early December.

Plan B (Feb 2009):

GOAL: Float name of a top Kentucky Republican who apparently has real interest in a Bunning primary challenge and even set-up a meeting with the NRSC chairman which will be leaked to the media.

ACTION: It was leaked that Kentucky state Senate Majority Leader David Williams (R) -- a top McConnell loyalist -- was considering a primary bid against Bunning and had met with NRSC Chairman Jon Cornyn (R-TX) in Washington. While Cornyn said no primary opponent was being recruited to run against Bunning, he did acknowledge meeting with Williams. However, few believe the controversial and unethical Williams was anything more than a stalking horse to help push Bunning out so that Grayson could run for the seat.

RESULT: Failed. Bunning quickly reiterated his intention to run, blasted McConnell and Cornyn for trying to push him out of the race.

http://www.politicalbase.com/profile/Mark%20Nickolas/blog/&blogId=7180

[PBS Poll-435]

1. Does Plan 'D' = Dementia?

:shrug:

[ccharles000]

2. ...

:rofl: