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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMitch McConnell Has An Obamacare Problem
Throughout the past week, members of the Senates right wing led by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Rand Paul (R-KY) have been publicly lobbying their Republican colleagues to block the passage of any continuing resolution funding the federal government, unless it defunds the Affordable Care Act. The plan is functionally dead in the water several reliable Obamacare opponents in the Senate have already derided the plans obvious flaws (first and foremost among them, that shutting down the government wouldnt actually halt the Affordable Care Acts implementation) but it remains a politically potent symbol in Republican politics.
There is a powerful, defeatist approach among Republicans in Washington, Senator Cruz pointedly said on Tuesday. I think theyre beaten down and theyre convinced that we cant give a fight, and theyre terrified. The remarks were a thinly veiled shot at McConnell, who has thus far refused to take a position on the government shutdown plan.
McConnell currently holds a massive lead over the largely-undefined Bevin, but if Bevin continues to attract right-wing support, the race could tighten significantly. If McConnell decides that the risk of shutting down the government for no tangible gain outweighs the risk of prolonged public attack from Tea Party favorites such as Cruz and Lee, then he could find himself very vulnerable in a Republican primary. Although Bevin remains an extreme long shot to steal the nomination from McConnell, a closely-contested primary could do serious damage to McConnells chances in the general election.
If McConnell does sign on to the Lee plan, however, it could cause him an even bigger headache. His likely Democratic opponent in 2014 Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is already tailoring her campaign to paint McConnell as a guardian of gridlock who exemplifies the dysfunction in Washington, D.C. If McConnell agrees to attempt to shut down the government in a futile effort to repeal Obamacare, that image will be magnified giving Grimes, who currently polls within striking distance of McConnell a great political opportunity. Furthermore, due to McConnells status as the leader of the Senate Republicans, taking the extremist position could impact all the Republican senators on the ballot in 2014.
http://www.nationalmemo.com/mitch-mcconnell-has-an-obamacare-problem/
One can only hope that the Kentucky tea party either upsets McConnell in the primary or damages him significantly.
ruffburr
(1,190 posts)Turtle boy is having a bad day, My day gets better,
CherokeeDem
(3,709 posts)This is a good day...between the poll numbers and this report.
Down with Turtle Boy!
leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)Major Hogwash
(17,656 posts)I can't believe how frickin' ignorant he is.
He makes less sense than Cornyn . . and I didn't even think that was possible!!