CaseyJones
11-25-2013, 11:07 AM
http://www.businessinsider.com/mitch-mcconnells-war-on-the-tea-party-could-prevent-the-republican-party-from-retaking-the-senate-2013-11
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has gone to war against the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF) and other right wing groups looking to take down incumbent Republicans in primaries. Now, his fight is causing collateral damage.
The National Review's Jonathan Strong reports today that McConnell met with Ben Sasse, a candidate for the open Senate seat in Nebraska, recently and immediately berated him for his work with SCF. Here's Strong:
As soon as Sasse sat down, McConnell lit into him, criticizing him for working with the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF) as well as for posting a viral YouTube video in which he demanded “every Republican in Washington, starting with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, to show some actual leadership.”
Republicans in Washington familiar with these kinds of sessions say the Kentucky Republican’s specialty is long, tension-filled pauses. But even for McConnell, this was awkward. Josh Holmes, McConnell’s top political hand, privately told friends afterward it was the most uncomfortable meeting he’d been in.
...
As he walked out of the room, Sasse turned to Holmes — “That didn’t go well!”
McConnell has not been shy about voicing his displeasure about SCF and any candidate or organization that works with them. A few weeks ago, the National Republican Senatorial Committee blacklisted a major Republican advertising company, Jamestown Associates, for working with SCF. The minority leader has also specifically said he wants to punch SCF "in the nose." McConnell spokeswoman Allison Moore traded verbal barbs with the group last week after Senate Democrats changed the filibuster rules.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has gone to war against the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF) and other right wing groups looking to take down incumbent Republicans in primaries. Now, his fight is causing collateral damage.
The National Review's Jonathan Strong reports today that McConnell met with Ben Sasse, a candidate for the open Senate seat in Nebraska, recently and immediately berated him for his work with SCF. Here's Strong:
As soon as Sasse sat down, McConnell lit into him, criticizing him for working with the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF) as well as for posting a viral YouTube video in which he demanded “every Republican in Washington, starting with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, to show some actual leadership.”
Republicans in Washington familiar with these kinds of sessions say the Kentucky Republican’s specialty is long, tension-filled pauses. But even for McConnell, this was awkward. Josh Holmes, McConnell’s top political hand, privately told friends afterward it was the most uncomfortable meeting he’d been in.
...
As he walked out of the room, Sasse turned to Holmes — “That didn’t go well!”
McConnell has not been shy about voicing his displeasure about SCF and any candidate or organization that works with them. A few weeks ago, the National Republican Senatorial Committee blacklisted a major Republican advertising company, Jamestown Associates, for working with SCF. The minority leader has also specifically said he wants to punch SCF "in the nose." McConnell spokeswoman Allison Moore traded verbal barbs with the group last week after Senate Democrats changed the filibuster rules.