GOP Incumbents Lean on Donors to Beat Back Primary Foes
By Dion Nissenbaum
WASHINGTON—Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell recently delivered a direct pitch to one of America's top defense contractors: Get off the sidelines and start backing Republicans who will protect military spending. Mr. McConnell's message, according to people who attended a Nov. 6 fundraiser with officials from BAE Systems Inc., was that if Republican lawmakers lose primary elections from challengers further to their right who have few qualms about trimming military budgets, the defense industry could expect dwindling support in Washington.
"In the current debate, spending cuts have trumped robust national-security spending," said one person at the McConnell fundraiser, held at a Capitol Hill townhouse. "The main message he was pushing was: Get involved, mainly to teach those who are primarying incumbents that it is not helpful to run against incumbents who are champions for the industry."
The Kentucky Republican's outreach to the defense community is part of an effort by party leaders to blunt the effects of conservatives who are stepping up in increasing numbers to challenge GOP incumbents. Many of the 12 Senate Republicans up for re-election next year are facing primary challengers aligned with the tea party, including Mr. McConnell.
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Mr. McConnell delivered his message at the fundraiser hours after a candidate backed by a number of GOP leaders in Washington, and the Chamber of Commerce, beat a more conservative challenger in a special congressional election in Alabama.
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Mr. McConnell's pitch to the defense industry is a delicate one. As Senate Republican leader, he has supported sequestration, the across-the-board spending cuts that have hit domestic programs and the Defense Department.
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