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Sen. Mitch McConnell fighting for his political life? (Let's remove Addison Mithell McConnell Jr.)
csmonitor.com ^ | 8/2/13 | Linda Feldman

Posted on 08/05/2013 5:51:19 AM PDT by cotton1706

It’s only just begun, but the reelection battle of Mitch McConnell – the top Republican in the Senate – is already shaping up to be the marquee race of the 2014 midterms.

Start with the primary challenge Senator McConnell faces from Matt Bevin, a wealthy, tea-party-backed businessman, reportedly willing to spend his own money. If McConnell makes it past Mr. Bevin, he’s poised to face likely Democratic nominee Alison Lundergan Grimes, Kentucky’s secretary of state and member of a well-connected political family, in the general election.

Add to the mix McConnelll’s mediocre job approval ratings in the state – only 45 percent in the latest poll, by the Republican firm Wenzel Strategies.

McConnell’s biggest liability may well be his leadership role in Washington. The Republican minority leader hasn’t been able to keep near-civil war from breaking out within his party. If there’s a government shutdown this fall, Republicans could come in for heavy public blame. Even if President Obama is deeply unpopular in Kentucky, Congress is worse off.

Two new polls show a race between McConnell and Secretary Grimes within the margin error, and on Friday, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the race to tossup.

McConnell’s biggest blow so far has been the primary challenge by Bevin. The five-term McConnell is an experienced politico – he’s the longest-serving US senator in Kentucky history – and he put together an experienced reelection team early, including recruiting Kentucky tea party Sen. Rand Paul's campaign manager. He’s been raising money ever since Election Day 2012, and by mid-July reportedly had $9.6 million in the bank.

(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: 2014midterms; gopprimary; ky2014; mattbevin; mcconnell; primarymcconnell; primarymitch; primarytherinos
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1 posted on 08/05/2013 5:51:19 AM PDT by cotton1706
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To: cotton1706

Oop. Left out the “c” in Mitchell.


2 posted on 08/05/2013 5:53:35 AM PDT by cotton1706
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To: cotton1706

Liberals would like to focus on their number one target to deflect attention from the races where they are in real trouble. Mc Connell will win going away! Bet on it.


3 posted on 08/05/2013 5:58:09 AM PDT by Old Retired Army Guy
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To: cotton1706
Oop. Left out the “c” in Mitchell.

That must be the "c" for "Courage", or "Conviction", or maybe "Competence"?

Correctly omitted, in any case.

4 posted on 08/05/2013 5:59:36 AM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
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To: Old Retired Army Guy
Mc Connell will win going away! Bet on it.

He'll be doing it without my vote this time.

I'm not an abused spouse that comes back for another beating. He has betrayed us one time too many.

5 posted on 08/05/2013 6:01:43 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: cotton1706

If he is ousted, who will champion the rights of Turtle-Americans?


6 posted on 08/05/2013 6:02:25 AM PDT by InvisibleChurch (http://thegatwickview.tumblr.com/ http://thepurginglutheran.tumblr.com/)
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To: cotton1706

Grimes will not win against Matt Bevin. She might just bumble her way into a victory over McConnell because the man is a disaster.

Rand Paul cruised to a 10% victory over Jack Conway in 2010. There’s no excuse for such close polling on McConnell other than he’s a sure loser, people don’t like him, and its time to send someone else.


7 posted on 08/05/2013 6:03:36 AM PDT by Viennacon
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To: ChildOfThe60s

Bevin should make this a one-issue contest at the start..keep hammering Mitch about not voting to defund Obamacare..


8 posted on 08/05/2013 6:07:00 AM PDT by ken5050 (My tagline is on summer break..)
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To: cotton1706

It’s time these elite Republicans got the message. If they want to be democrats they should run as Democrats.


9 posted on 08/05/2013 6:07:32 AM PDT by Venturer ( cowardice posturing as tolerance =political correctness)
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To: Old Retired Army Guy
Liberals would like to focus on their number one target to deflect attention from the races where they are in real trouble. Mc Connell will win going away! Bet on it.

That's not necessarily something to be cheering for. I'd much rather see Bevin in there.

10 posted on 08/05/2013 6:13:54 AM PDT by 0.E.O
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To: Viennacon

My feeling right at this moment is that Grimes or Bevin will be the next Senator.

My concern is the McConnell will go 100% slash and burn (which he appears to have already started). IOW, select me (McConnell) in the primary or you will have Grimes, because I’ll burn this party to the ground in KY if you don’t.


11 posted on 08/05/2013 6:15:57 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: cotton1706

a properly functioning party would be pulling Mitch into a closed-door meeting to force the issue of his retirement.


12 posted on 08/05/2013 6:24:29 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Buckeye McFrog

“a properly functioning party would be pulling Mitch into a closed-door meeting to force the issue of his retirement.”

That only applies when a senator is a “problem” or an actual conservative, like when Mitch had his retirement chat with Jim Bunning.

But when you’re a go-along type, one of liberalism’s handmaidens, then you’re allowed to stay and no such conversation takes place. For example, Ted Stevens, Richard Lugar.


13 posted on 08/05/2013 6:30:35 AM PDT by cotton1706
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To: ChildOfThe60s
My concern is the McConnell will go 100% slash and burn (which he appears to have already started).

Certainly a risk but I'd hope McConnell has more class than Lugar did in Indiana last year.

Lugar was 80. McConnell is 71. If we can't get term limits, how about a required RETIREMENT age!

14 posted on 08/05/2013 6:36:38 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: FReepers; Patriots; FRiends




Poster Boy for Term Limits

Free Republic Needs Your Contributions!

PLEASE HELP TODAY!

15 posted on 08/05/2013 6:38:12 AM PDT by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

Same here! I’m tired of putting up with these POS two-faced traitors.


16 posted on 08/05/2013 6:41:48 AM PDT by WKUHilltopper (And yet...we continue to tolerate this crap...)
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To: cotton1706

Every time I see names like McConnell, Boehner, Pelosi, Reid, I get angrier and angrier that we don’t have term limits. These folks are rich beyond what us regular folk would dream of, yet they can’t get off the teat of the government. I am also proposing, not only term limits, but if your total wealth is over $10 million, you don’t get paid for serving your country. These elitist pigs have forgotten that they serve us.


17 posted on 08/05/2013 6:44:10 AM PDT by Cyclone59 (Where are we going, and what's with the handbasket?)
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To: cotton1706
"McConnell’s biggest liability may well be his leadership role in Washington. The Republican minority leader hasn’t been able to keep near-civil war from breaking out within his party."

Wrong. McConnell's liability is that he has led the GOP Surrender Caucus. With great fervor and zeal, I might add.

"If there’s a government shutdown this fall, Republicans could come in for heavy public blame."

Why? Any government shutdown would be the sole fault of the "President" and his minions in the Senate for failure to abide by the defunding of a deeply unpopular, hugely expensive bureaucratic nightmare that bears his name.

18 posted on 08/05/2013 6:45:36 AM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (Army dad. And damned proud.)
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To: cotton1706

30 years is waaaay tooo long for anybody to be in the same office. They just get too comfortable and clubby with everyone. Two terms max.


19 posted on 08/05/2013 7:01:22 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: Cyclone59
"they can’t get off the teat of the government."

The money, and the money made from extorting 'favors' may be good, but I think it is the aphrodisiac of POWER that is the real draw.

20 posted on 08/05/2013 7:05:29 AM PDT by I am Richard Brandon
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