Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Sen. McConnell says he’s in the ‘most difficult’ reelection bid of his career
The Hill ^ | 6/22/07 | Aaron Blake

Posted on 06/22/2007 4:31:43 PM PDT by freespirited

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is “facing the most difficult reelection campaign” of his career, or at least that’s what he’s telling his political supporters.

McConnell, who has yet to draw a major opponent, sent a fundraising letter characterizing his 2008 reelection bid as a battle against “radical national liberal organizations” and calling himself one of the top Democratic targets in the country.

The letter was posted this week to a blog dedicated to drafting another Republican, former gubernatorial nominee Larry Forgy, to run against him in a primary.

McConnell decried the efforts against him by Americans United for Change, an anti-war group that he said “is funded by big labor union bosses” and “has already spent six figures running attack ads against me for fighting terrorism.”

The “most difficult reelection campaign” assertion is interesting because McConnell won reelection in 1990 by less than 5 points in a tough race against former Louisville Mayor Harvey Sloane. McConnell took 55 percent in 1996 and 65 percent in 2002.

Charlie Owen, a millionaire businessman who has self-funded in the past, is among McConnell’s potential Democratic challengers. The others include Attorney General Greg Stumbo.

McConnell was one of the top fundraisers in the Senate during the first quarter of the cycle, pulling in about $1.7 million. He also has one of the biggest war chests, at $4.4 million.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has targeted him in recent months, but the race generally is considered a second-tier target.

Rebecca Fisher, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said, “This is very common language typically used in fundraising letters.”


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Kentucky
KEYWORDS: hysteria; kentuckysenate; mcconnell
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-84 next last
Sen. McConnell says he’s in the ‘most difficult’ reelection bid of his career

Can't imagine why.

1 posted on 06/22/2007 4:31:50 PM PDT by freespirited
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: freespirited

If he doesn’t stop the amnesty bill, he will be. He might even have a serious primary challenge.


2 posted on 06/22/2007 4:33:05 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Open borders and outsourcing are opposite sides of the same coin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121

U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121

White House comments: (202) 456-1111

Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep

Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm


3 posted on 06/22/2007 4:34:13 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Fred Thompson/John Bolton 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Hey Mitch! I speak as a former Kentuckian of almost 40 years.

This shamnesty bill is gonna be your downfall. Time to come out strongly against it.


4 posted on 06/22/2007 4:35:14 PM PDT by upchuck (IMPORTANT! -> Immigration: What the Deal-Makers don't want you to know -> http://tinyurl.com/2pwp6o)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Takes a lot of gall to come whining to the base about what a tough election he’s got coming up, while at the same time he’s selling out the country.


5 posted on 06/22/2007 4:37:12 PM PDT by SirJohnBarleycorn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

What pandering. What’s next, acting afraid of Code Pink?

I M M I G R A T I O N B I L L

M C C O N N E L L Y O U A R E N E A R F I N I S H E D

Y O U R W I F E ‘ S “F R I E N D S” M I S L E D Y O U

B U S H I S A L A M E D U C K

Y O U T O O ?


6 posted on 06/22/2007 4:38:16 PM PDT by Shermy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
Hey no problemo Mitch! I’m sure you can count on the Hispanic votes since you sold Americans out. Wasn’t that the theory after all?
7 posted on 06/22/2007 4:39:51 PM PDT by samm1148 (Pennsylvania-They haven't taxed air--yet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SirJohnBarleycorn
Takes a lot of gall to come whining to the base about what a tough election he’s got coming up, while at the same time he’s selling out the country.

You're not kidding. There's a glut on gall in D.C. these days. If Washington gall were crude oil, the going rate would be less than $2.00 a barrel.

8 posted on 06/22/2007 4:41:27 PM PDT by Bronzewound (Mr. President - B.S. stands for Border Security.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Ol’ Mitch the myopic mangler should be in a “tough” fight, one that he could win at any moment if he decided to *GASP* listen to “We the People” in his home state of Kentucky and across the country.


9 posted on 06/22/2007 4:43:33 PM PDT by padre35 (GWB chose Amnesty as his hill to die on, not Social Security reform.....that speaks much)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
He might as well start putting his resume out there because him backing this shamnesty bill is the end of his political career!
10 posted on 06/22/2007 4:44:13 PM PDT by NRA2BFree ("The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
If he doesn’t stop the amnesty bill, he will be. He might even have a serious primary challenge.

Not a chance of that happening!

11 posted on 06/22/2007 4:44:21 PM PDT by Bluegrass Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: padre35

Mitch looks scared..
12 posted on 06/22/2007 4:45:06 PM PDT by Shermy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
If he doesn’t stop the amnesty bill, he will be. He might even have a serious primary challenge.

I figure he will vote yes on cloture, then vote no on the bill so he can say he opposed it. If he pulls that, it's tantamount to a yes vote, and we should pull out the stops to find him the strongest primary opponent possible.

13 posted on 06/22/2007 4:45:48 PM PDT by freespirited (Mr. President, PUT UP THE WALL.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
. . . and we should pull out the stops to find him the strongest primary opponent possible.

There is no Republican in Kentucky that could successfully take on Mitch in a primary.

14 posted on 06/22/2007 4:50:47 PM PDT by Bluegrass Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Still, the corrosive debate seems to have taken a toll on McConnell. On Tuesday and Wednesday, he refused to take reporters’ questions on immigration, a rare move in the Capitol hallways for a man whose deadpan demeanor and calm, monotone voice seldom change.
From My Way News
“Privately, some Bush allies say they wish McConnell would openly back the immigration bill. Publicly, colleagues who support the bill have placed McConnell’s comments and actions in the best possible light.

“I take him at his word,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., noting that McConnell repeatedly has said the Senate bill is preferable to the status quo. “He has been helpful in making sure it comes back” for more amendments and votes, Graham said, referring to last week’s hiatus that nearly doomed the bill.

McConnell agreed that keeping the process moving, without embracing or rejecting the bill, has been his aim,”

Mcconnell has been taking a lot of heat in Ky.


15 posted on 06/22/2007 4:52:20 PM PDT by blueheron2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
McConnell, who has yet to draw a major opponent, sent a fundraising letter characterizing his 2008 reelection bid as a battle against “radical national liberal organizations” and calling himself one of the top Democratic targets in the country.

Top dem target??? Why? Harry Reid has you in his back pocket.

Guess you might need some campaign cash, eh Senator? Don't you think the boys who you are carrying the water for on the immigration bill can hook you up? Sorry, but the rest of us are going to spend our money on candidates who will listen to us.
16 posted on 06/22/2007 4:52:46 PM PDT by keepitreal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
Senator McConnell,

Vote against the SHAMNESTY bill, start fighting back against the dims like they did against any of our legislation, filibuster when needed and start telling America the truth about the dims... in the same way they lie and deceive about our side. At least you will have the truth behind you... and oh yes... the BASE will be solidly behind you too. Money will be no problem for any CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS that vote his or her Conservatism!

If Kay Baily Hutchison votes against this Re-Conquistador bill, I’ll send her funding to help with her run for reelection. I would not even consider it before now!

LLS

17 posted on 06/22/2007 4:53:50 PM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

It’s not too late to change his position. But Yes on closure will cook him, and he will deserve it.

It makes me sick that the Republican leadership can’t manage to push hard for any of the good bills, and then go all-out pushing this abomination.

I don’t vote in Kentucky or South Carolina, but I’ll be happy to send a contribution to any good candidates in the primaries there, if that’s what it comes down to.


18 posted on 06/22/2007 4:54:05 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bluegrass Conservative
"There is no Republican in Kentucky that could successfully take on Mitch in a primary."

A Yes vote on S.1639 will give us the chance to test your assertion.

Even so, doesn't mean he can win the general.

19 posted on 06/22/2007 4:55:58 PM PDT by Czar ( StillFedUptotheTeeth@Washington)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Term Limits - Term Limits - Term Limits

They get a little arrogant after they get re-elected once or twice.
The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators - people from different walks of life entering public service for a time then returning to their non-government profession.
Instead we have a breed of people that have become professional politicians who think of themselves as America’s Royalty.
They develop a sense of entitlement to a government job and become so out of touch with their constituency they resent it when voters expect them to do the job to which they were elected.


20 posted on 06/22/2007 4:58:26 PM PDT by BoneShaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Czar

Oh, I agree. I’m not happy with the Senator regarding his position on this issue. And, yes, there is a chance he could be vulnerable in a general . . . but no chance in a primary.


21 posted on 06/22/2007 4:58:54 PM PDT by Bluegrass Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: blueheron2

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070621/D8PTGRL80.html

Article on McConnell’s confusion. He see’s the storm he’s in even if none of the other senator’s do.


22 posted on 06/22/2007 5:00:45 PM PDT by blueheron2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Voices from my old Kentucky home of Mayfield are chiming “Don’t allow the Amnesty Bill, Mitch.”


23 posted on 06/22/2007 5:05:45 PM PDT by So Circumstanced
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

bttt


24 posted on 06/22/2007 5:05:46 PM PDT by Guenevere (Duncan Hunter for President, 2008!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
Sen. McConnell says he’s in the ‘most difficult’ reelection bid of his career

He ain't seen nothing yet if he votes "aye" on cloture.

25 posted on 06/22/2007 5:07:20 PM PDT by mdittmar (May God watch over those who serve,and have served,to keep us free)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Shermy

“Mitch looks scared”

Nah Mitch ain’t skared, and GWB’s lips aren’t even moving while McConnel gives that speech....


26 posted on 06/22/2007 5:09:14 PM PDT by padre35 (GWB chose Amnesty as his hill to die on, not Social Security reform.....that speaks much)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Any Repub who votes for amnesty runs the risk of his base sitting home on election day. If the bill passes, we may see a huge crash on the Repub side, a washout.

I don’t think the GOP realizes what is happening out here in the hinterlands. They assume that conservatives have to vote for them... where else can they go? But in a 50-50 country, if even only a few Repub voters stay home in disgust on election day, the GOP is toast. It would be a disaster, we would be handing the Dems a filibuster-proof congress, but if your own people insist on selling you out, whats the point?

It will be a disaster, if conservatives fail to turn out in force on election day, but the disaster occurred the year before, when Repub leadership decided to jam amnesty through. Amnesty will break the Republican Party.


27 posted on 06/22/2007 5:25:02 PM PDT by marron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
Sen. McConnell says he’s in the ‘most difficult’ reelection bid of his career

Cry me a river. Why do these guys think they are entitled to reelection?

Hey, Mitch! Here's a clue. Vote with your good "friend" Teddy on the Immigration Bill and you just might have retirement handed to you by the voters. Vote against it and I can promise you your chances for reelection just got a bit easier.

(If these guys are the best and brightest, this country is in deep, deep do do!)

28 posted on 06/22/2007 5:36:00 PM PDT by mort56
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
Hey, Mitch:

It's NOT the anti-war(pro-terrorists) that will bring you down, it's your own conservative voters, who refuse to vote FOR someone who insists on giving us 12/20 some say as many as 34 Million, illegal "citizens" by the stroke of the Bush pen.

Sorry, you chose to be in a position of "leadership" and to us, that did NOT mean selling out each and every conservative in America for the Open Borders/Illegal Alien Activists/liberal Democrats.

We DO have the votes to shut this freight train down, if YOU HAVE THE GUTS to lead the way as a "true leader!"

If not, bye, bye,

We The People

29 posted on 06/22/2007 5:51:31 PM PDT by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited; Bluegrass Conservative; Republican Wildcat

Larry Forgy, who was nearly elected Governor in 1995, hasn’t ruled out running.


30 posted on 06/22/2007 5:56:49 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Open borders and outsourcing are opposite sides of the same coin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

is street sense eligible to vote due to his derby win, because mr. mcconnell has lost all s.s. if he goes against the will of the american people and votes with the beltway elites.


31 posted on 06/22/2007 6:01:23 PM PDT by JohnLongIsland
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

I have sent Mitch a few messages about the imigration bill.
He is familair with our feelings. If he continues to not pay attention to us, he will feel the consequences. I have supported him in every election since 1978, if he caves on this I’ll stay home.


32 posted on 06/22/2007 6:04:03 PM PDT by oflyboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

McConnell can’t be stupid, he just can’t be (said the sometimes ignorant optimist). Not only should he hold a news conference saying he will not back the amnesty bill, though he’s been sorely tempted, but that he will work every minute of the day to make sure his colleagues do not back it. Reelection? Hanging by a thread.


33 posted on 06/22/2007 6:04:18 PM PDT by KingLiberty (As 12th Imam I declare 'Give me liberty or give me. . . twins would be nice.')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Gee Mitch, are your two supporters still with you?


34 posted on 06/22/2007 6:04:18 PM PDT by indylindy (Fighting the new liberal Conservatism. The Left foot in the GOP door.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Czar; fieldmarshaldj

http://www.draftforgy.com/


35 posted on 06/22/2007 6:07:36 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Open borders and outsourcing are opposite sides of the same coin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: marron
Amnesty will break the Republican Party.

But it won't hurt the Democrats? They're far, far worse.

36 posted on 06/22/2007 6:08:37 PM PDT by Conservativegreatgrandma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
There being no such thing as an ex-Kentukian, I wrote McConnell the other day from New Mexico, reciting my Kentucky credentials: being in Lexington when Bear Bryant and Adolph Rupp coached at UK at the very same time.

I told my disappointment McC is seeking to turn Kentucky into a third-world state with all the illegals he is working to import.

He did not reply, of course.

37 posted on 06/22/2007 6:25:35 PM PDT by tailgunner (Tagless in New Mexico.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued; AuH2ORepublican; JohnnyZ; Kuksool; Theodore R.; EternalVigilance

I fully expect Gov. Fletcher, after he loses reelection in November (if he pulls off a win, it will be a miracle), will likely do all he can to knock off McConnell for revenge.

McConnell is not doing anything to demonstrate that he deserves a 5th term. The big question is whether Forgy could either beat him and go on to win the general. He’s practically a perennial candidate for us, and that’s not a good thing. He must also be older than McConnell (near or above 70 ?), which is also not good.


38 posted on 06/22/2007 6:28:05 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Shermy

Looks like W is giving Mitch’s balls a squeeze.


39 posted on 06/22/2007 6:34:04 PM PDT by Doohickey (Giuliani: Brokeback Republican)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: fieldmarshaldj

Perennial candidate is an overstatement. In his two races for Governor, he lost the GOP primary in 1991 & the general election in 1995 by 51% to 49% margins. His loss for state Surpeme Court in 2000 was a larger one, but not an overwhelming loss.


40 posted on 06/22/2007 6:35:55 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Open borders and outsourcing are opposite sides of the same coin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Shermy

He’s toast!!! Pass the word, no money; no campaign workers. Let him walk the streets begging alone.


41 posted on 06/22/2007 6:37:09 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

That was a rumor started by liberal activists in the “Ditch Mitch” squad and Forgy has stated he has no intention of running.


42 posted on 06/22/2007 6:40:26 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

2008 will probably be a terrible year for Republicans.


43 posted on 06/22/2007 6:43:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samm1148
I’m sure you can count on the Hispanic votes since you sold Americans out

Surely the Repubs like McConnell aren't so stupid that they don't know why the Democrats are working so hard for more immigration and for granting amnesty and eventual citizenship to the 12-30 million illegals now in the US? Once they get the right to vote they will make up another 90% Democrat vote bloc at least as big as the black vote bloc. After those millions of new democrat voters hit the voting booths there won't be enough Republicans in Washington to fill a government limo.

44 posted on 06/22/2007 6:46:14 PM PDT by epow (Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching:)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

If he had even one win under his belt, it might help (although I believe even the courts acknowledged he actually won the ‘95 Governor’s race, but too late to do anything about it).


45 posted on 06/22/2007 6:58:35 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

“calling himself one of the top Democratic targets in the country.”

It isn’t only Democrats that he has to worry about.


46 posted on 06/22/2007 7:02:53 PM PDT by jch10
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma

It won’t hurt the Demos, greatgrandma, because the voters are unable to understand the ramifications. Voters say “Enough is Enough” and simply vote Democrat. They don’t understand what they are doing.


47 posted on 06/22/2007 7:04:31 PM PDT by Theodore R. (Cowardice is forever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
Who here can run against him??? I have my credit card ready.
48 posted on 06/22/2007 7:04:50 PM PDT by mad_as_he$$ ("Courage is when you are scared to death, saddle up and ride out anyway." John F'in Wayne.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fieldmarshaldj

I don’t think McC and Forgy differ on much: they have the same business supporters.


49 posted on 06/22/2007 7:05:28 PM PDT by Theodore R. (Cowardice is forever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: SirJohnBarleycorn

Maybe Mitch should just retire to his native AL, forget KY, give those folks a break from his treachery, and let Senator Sessions be his senator.


50 posted on 06/22/2007 7:06:58 PM PDT by Theodore R. (Cowardice is forever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-84 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson