torchbearer
05-05-2010, 09:17 AM
http://www.bluegrassbulletin.com/2010/05/mcconnell-endorsement-vs-demint-endorsement.html
When Mitch McConnell endorsed Trey Grayson Kentuckians sighed a collective "ho-hum". After all no one really doubted that it was Mitch who was behind Trey from the beginning. But as time passes conversation has turned to the question "Why endorse, and why now?" The answer may come as soon as this week.
McConnell has a very well developed stable of donors who whip out their check books on his command. A bunch of them stuck their necks out for Grayson upon McConnell's urging. Suspicion is running high that they were more than a little ticked off that Mitch was keeping his distance as Grayson's poll numbers never improved beyond showing him solidly in second place. These donors are folks who pay to play and Mitch had them playing with the likely loser. McConnell may very well have felt some pressure to put his mouth where their money was.
But perhaps even more important to Mitch is the highly anticipated endorsement of Rand Paul by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint rumored to be coming out this week.
DeMint is expected to make a strong run for the leadership position now being held by McConnell and if republican chances improve dramatically, McConnell may be out of position to realize his dream of becoming majority leader unless he can hold together enough votes to hold power in the Senate.
McConnell can count on Grayson to give Mitch his undivided loyalty, Rand Paul on the other hand is much more likely to exercise independent judgment, which makes McConnell very squeamish. McConnell has likely learned that DeMint will endorse Rand Paul and rushed to choose sides quickly in opposition.
With Paul enjoying a comfortable lead in the polls two weeks away from the election McConnell's endorsement under this cloud of self interest coupled with the devastating comments made by Dr. Dobson about how McConnell misled him should cause Grayson to run in the opposite direction upon McConnell's approach.
But he won't, DeMint will endorse Rand Paul, Grayson is likely to come in second and a front row seat at the unity rally in Frankfort will become the hottest ticket in town.
What a year this has been.
When Mitch McConnell endorsed Trey Grayson Kentuckians sighed a collective "ho-hum". After all no one really doubted that it was Mitch who was behind Trey from the beginning. But as time passes conversation has turned to the question "Why endorse, and why now?" The answer may come as soon as this week.
McConnell has a very well developed stable of donors who whip out their check books on his command. A bunch of them stuck their necks out for Grayson upon McConnell's urging. Suspicion is running high that they were more than a little ticked off that Mitch was keeping his distance as Grayson's poll numbers never improved beyond showing him solidly in second place. These donors are folks who pay to play and Mitch had them playing with the likely loser. McConnell may very well have felt some pressure to put his mouth where their money was.
But perhaps even more important to Mitch is the highly anticipated endorsement of Rand Paul by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint rumored to be coming out this week.
DeMint is expected to make a strong run for the leadership position now being held by McConnell and if republican chances improve dramatically, McConnell may be out of position to realize his dream of becoming majority leader unless he can hold together enough votes to hold power in the Senate.
McConnell can count on Grayson to give Mitch his undivided loyalty, Rand Paul on the other hand is much more likely to exercise independent judgment, which makes McConnell very squeamish. McConnell has likely learned that DeMint will endorse Rand Paul and rushed to choose sides quickly in opposition.
With Paul enjoying a comfortable lead in the polls two weeks away from the election McConnell's endorsement under this cloud of self interest coupled with the devastating comments made by Dr. Dobson about how McConnell misled him should cause Grayson to run in the opposite direction upon McConnell's approach.
But he won't, DeMint will endorse Rand Paul, Grayson is likely to come in second and a front row seat at the unity rally in Frankfort will become the hottest ticket in town.
What a year this has been.