McConnell:Trump::Cheny:Bush. While the President postures, McConnell is running things.
1
Conservative icon? Conservative albatross will be his legacy.
2
Only the rich in KY know McConnell. This is a red state where the vast majority of people dont have internet, no health insurance, no nothing. They all seem to live in mobile homes.
2
Sometimes I wonder how many anti-Mitch people would need to move to KY for him to lose next time? Maybe Michael B could work with Warren B to hire enough people to move to KY at least for a while and vote against Mitch??
2
Labelling McConnell 'iconic' proves beyond any shadow of doubt that irony is not dead.
2
I appreciate the confirmation about how much McConnell and Trump need one another. They so need each other! But, I'm still struggling with the drilling down to a meeting of the 'wives' (no disrespect for wives from me) of local Kentucky Republican leaders. Other than the subtle message that these women are deeply concerned that their significant others (children, etc) might possibly go off the rails and join... god forbid...modern society where they choose their gender preferences, etc., etc.,
Either abolish the Electoral College and dissolve the Senate or let California go free.
Mitch McConnell Wasn’t Always Loved by Republicans. He Is Now.
“it is much safer to be feared than loved Mr McConnel, because love is broken at every opportunity for your opponents advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.” - Machiavelli
I fail to understand how a person who openly states that he has no intention of being an impartial juror, and who then swears an oath to God to be impartial, can be considered eligible for any position higher than dog-catcher. (No disrespect intended to dogs.)
6
Earthquakes are natural phenomena and may cause harm, so are volcanic eruption which hurt people and animals, but Earth wasn't created for our benefit, we evolved on it like vegetation and animals. Evil exists only among humans. Scorpions and rattlesnakes cause harm but the do not perpetuate it because they are evil; however, Mitch McConnell, Rush Limbaugh and Donald Trump perpetuate evil and create havoc for their own benefit, willingly to feed their egos - and bank accounts. Karma is rewarding Rush, let's hope Karma catches up with the other two evil, destructive men.
5
Yes indeed, Mitch McConnell bestrides the US government like a colossus. Wily, sensible, never petulant or petty like Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi, he has been the true shepherd of most legislation in the Trump Presidency, as well as of bipartisan legislation in the Obama Presidency. Hope you keep serving well into your 90's, Senator McConnell, you are a treasure.
2
A quick memo to the Senator, if you're going to sell your soul and trade tbe remains of your reputation to save a failing president, do it for a good one and, importantly, a loyal one.
4
McConnell has deep roots in Kentucky and his contributions are deeply appreciated. Please don't use Matt Bevin in the same paragraph. Matt Bevin was---the best we can say about him---"...was not from here..." He came as the "great teacher and reformer..."....we took too long to send him on his way. ..We love our current governor.
3
McConnell is nothing if not a fair-weather prognosticator. A former "never-Trumper," he found a way to swallow his pride (assuming so) to promote/back/defend the worst of our generation. Why? Because a win is better than morality or the truth. He is Judas.
2
This really is about two Americas. The republican America is indeed different; in that dystopic America, Mitch is a hero. So is Trump.
That is not the America that I think of when I think of the America that put the man on the moon. Or spread democracy and peace. That is the America of segregation after slavery, of Jesse Helms and Strom, of 50 shades of Mississilabama. Nah, can't let it stand.
Dems, stop your tantrums by November and come out to vote. Enough is enough.
3
Conservative icon - and installer of the United States first dictator. Mitch McConnell is a one man destroyer of what was once our democracy.
3
Can someone please explain what Kentuckians feel that Mitch McConnell has accomplished for them?
2
Scary article. Seems we're in for another generation, at least, of internecine hatred across party lines. Maybe the Citizens Climate Lobby can be the vehicle to get the parties having drinks together after work.
1
Just because he’s an icon in Kentucky doesn’t mean he has the moral right to prevent MY senators from ever having a chance to represent me. It’s shocking that people who consider themselves patriots embrace such a crass and craven, rude and supercilious man who obstructs equal representation at every turn. Of course, all he cares about is a version of winning—and then bragging about his win—as if he is oblivious to the fact that he is paying for every so-called win with his soul. He may rule the Senate, but his betrayal of US is beyond contempt.
24
If democracy is lost in this country, history will record those politicians/cabinet members most responsible as Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, Bill Barr and the majority of GOP senators. Do the people of Kentucky realize or care that these people are establishing an autocracy that will become entrenched if McConnell et al. remain in power after the next election?
4
Pardon me, but the GOP is not Conservative in the classical sense. It has become a clubhouse of corrupt right wing fixers.
To use these terms - Conservative and Liberal - in the present climate is both misleading and inaccurate. I get that it's a one word descriptor, but it doesn't fit.
A political party that sells itself to the 1% and corporations is nothing more than play for pay.
4
I am sorry but he is no icon anymore than Donald J Trump is an icon. Perhaps both are iconoclasts shredding decency along the way. Like Trump, McConnell is proud of himself or perhaps full of himself, but in no way helpful to this country, it's constitution and our laws. The damage already done or being done to our democratic form of government far exceeds imagination. The unholy trio of Trump, McConnell and Barr is tearing this country to shreds. All three are vindictive, vengeful tyrants who wish to rule instead of govern. They obtain their pride on the backs of others they do not like. If we wind up with 4 more years of this unholy trio, we will hold no honor here or abroad.
71
McConnell refused to hold hearings on (the highly qualified) Merrick Garland and rammed through (the unqualified) Brett Kavanaugh's appointment to the court, both via procedural shenanigans (putting it mildly) and raw power politics. Just like he tried to torpedo Obama at every opportunity, even when not in the best interests of his OWN state. And just like McConnell manipulated the impeachment process (no witnesses!) to serve right-wing interests. All the while ignoring the tampering with our elections and government by the likes of Putin!
As if that's not bad enough, some people actually say that it
"was a plan designed only by God that Senator McConnell was put in the position that he is”?
Talk about raw zealotry! And utterly overlaying state and government with religion, as if there's no such separation intended in our Constitution. Truly scary.
179
@NYer
Our comments are better when religion is excluded. Many religious people make the mistake of thinking that everyone has beliefs similar to theirs.
Those who insist on putting a religious perspective on everything alienate those who may be agnostic, atheist, or who are simply cold toward religion in general.
5
@BarbL
In general I take your point.
But in this case, religion and God were included in the article itself and explicitly mentioned by a person quoted.
If someone explicitly refers to a "plan designed by God" in a political context like this, I think it's both fair and appropriate to address that in terms of religion. I didn't introduce religion into the discussion--the article and the person quoted did.
Referring to a (shocking, to me) statement about McConnell's role in government as part of "a plan designed only by God" as "zealotry" is my own "editorializing" characterization, I agree. But I don't think it's name-calling and I don't think it's unfair or anti-religious. A comment like that really suggests zealotry, in the generally-accepted sense of the term.
And our government does explicitly refer to a "separation of church and state," which many (mostly on one side of the political spectrum) seem to want to blur.
27
Who doesn’t admire a flawless bravura performance?
2
Interestingly, the Senate under Mitch McConnell has nearly given up on its main function of writing, debating upon and passing legislation. He might be a hero for those who think that governing is only about fighting in partisan brawls but he’s none too heroic in the way he is surrendering more and more power and authority to the Executive Branch.
27
I think Democrats have to realize what they are up against. The Republicans will never abandon Trump or McConnell or any of their rightwing policy positions. They will continue to laugh at liberals and Democrats just as their objects derision have long laughed at them. Reciprocity is a basic behavior for all humans and I think primates in general. You spit at me and I spit back. You laugh at me and I laugh back. You stroke my back and I will stroke yours.
So no one should be comforted if we or they win a victory. Nothing will be resolved except when one side gains a material advantage in the struggle for America's future. I would hope that advantage will come to the forces of light, but there is no reason with bad luck or circumstance that the forces of darkness will win. We both think we are right.
4
@Yankelnevich Oh, I could stand to be comforted.
I've got a Republican congressman who led the charge against the Affordable Care Act and very nearly deprived 300,000 of his own constituents of health care.
I've got a president who goes to Davos, of all places, to boast about how he might cut Social Security and Medicare.
And I'm in a state already suffering terribly from ocean acidification and severe forest fires driven by extreme temperatures, but an entire political party has decided against all the evidence that climate change isn't happening––and indeed we should "own the libs" by doing our damnedest to make it worse.
Then, there's the overheated economy with totally unprecedented levels of deficit spending, which will provide the excuse down the road, to crush SSI and Medicare, before Republicans once again hand off an economic disaster to a Democratic caretaker. Hoover did it. Junior did it. And Trump may yet do it like never before.
So, I see no "both sides-ism" here. There's only one side pursuing anything remotely rational. And the child rapist is handing out candy to all takers.
1
Busloads of Kentucky coal miners suffering from Black Lung Disease took a caravan for ten hours to see their Senator in Washington.
MaConnell gave them less than two minutes.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-coal-blacklung-idUSKCN1UI18G
McConnell will go down in history as their greatest traitor to American democracy in the history of the Republic. He is destroying our country.
Getting McConnell out of office is much more important than getting Trump out of office.
A Democratic House and Senate can start getting much-needed legislation to the President for signature.
McConnell has been blocking over 300 bills from the house, many bi-partisan, so as not to force his caucus and Trump to take a public position, voting against what the majority of Americans favor.
Amy McGrath, a former Marine Corp fighter pilot, can definitely beat this unpopular power mad senator.
I send Amy McGrath money as often as I can and I don't live anywhere close to Kentucky. I also try to support the campaigns to oust Susan Collins, Lindsay Graham, Devin Nunes and other supporters of Trump.
We can and will take our country back.
50
I refuse to believe that Kentuckians are proud of a man without principles or integrity, aka Mitch McConnell.
16
Thank you for your comment. There are areas in Kentucky where people cannot abide McConnell and those areas are growing.
I invite the Times to come to Jefferson County and here you will see a strong blue wave dedicated to defeating McConnell.
I sometimes wonder just how much McConnell directly or indirectly has contributed to the rampant poverty here. One can easily see that the more educated/better paying areas tend to be blue in Kentucky.
The Times writers could come in the spring when it is so pretty. We will fix you a "julep."
3
Limbaugh is going down, Maybe McConnell? Always, there is hope.
21
I would have found this article more helpful if it was more than the opinion of seven women. How does the rest of the state feel about him? This isn't a news story, it is a sad commentary on a few people.
25
I live in Kentucky and I do not support Mitch McConnell. He pushes coal, with horrifying effects of illness and poverty. He lines his pockets with money from mine owners. And the recent obstruction of justice he engineered re:Trumps impeachment is inexcusable. He should resign in shame.
69
@Janet This is good to hear. I have often wondered how anyone could vote for this shadow of a person that seems to be completely without a conscience. He seems to be clueless about the U.S. Constitution, and that he took an oath to uphold it.
Harry Reid has a conscience, and exercised it while in office. He also understood the Constitution, and worked within its confines.
21
Mitch has a known net worth of $30 million. Kentucky “invested” $15 million in a tentative plan to build an aluminum plant owned by Russian oligarchs. It is now obvious that this money laundering scheme was made possible because the senator was running “protection” for his allies. Now, in this giddy period of celebrating victory over justice, might the senator consider a reimbursement-Eastern Kentucky could use the money.
35
Pretty frightening article, I wince when some, like these women portray our country’s descent into totalitarianism as a divine plan. What they are really saying is that they love to see their tribe attacking others, regardless of the damage to the Constitution, the environment, or human rights. These women think only of themselves and their immediate gratification, without concern for the future. Very sad, indeed.
48
Want to ditch Mitch? Fund his opponents. Mitch drowns out the competition with cash.
21
Well, this is interesting. The Republicans in Kentucky may like McConnell, but few others do. He is the least popular Senator in the entire body. Even in Kentucky his approval rating is hovering in the 30%. And, as the worst, most obstructionist, most hypocritical, least effective (i.e., at anything other than Obstructing), most corrupt Senate majority leader in history, he will get opposition like he has never seen before when he comes up. I don't even live near Kentucky, but I'm going to donating the maximum to whatever Democrats wins the primary there. McConnell is a menace to society and has dragged the Republican Party down at a time when they could be holding all three branches of government. It's an absolute disgrace and his reign of corruption and lies will go down as one of the worst in history. I hope he enjoys it while he's got it.
40
His journey is not complete. He will be reviled by history for his role and complicity in facilitating the destruction of our Republic and our slide toward Tyranny. I wish him ill.
32
“I think it was a plan designed only by God that Senator McConnell was put in the position that he is,” said Kathy Stocks, the chairwoman of the Scott County Republican Party.
So her God wanted Mitch to run a sham trial so the most corrupt president in our history is not held accountable for pressuring Ukraine into investigating a political opponent by withholding badly needed money for their war against Russia?
29
Mitch McConnell is in love with his own wealth and power and is willing to shred the Constitution to keep the gravy train flowing.
Meanwhile the state he represents is mired in poverty.
That tells us everything we need to know about McConnell.
What we don't have an explanation for is why the people of Kentucky are tolerating this mess......
32
We will be donating to Amy McGrath. We live in Wisconsin but McConnell is ruining the whole country.
30
The GOP loves him? He's the equivalent of a snake oil salesman. Or a very shady operator of a very shady gang. I'm sorry but I see nothing to love about McConnell or the GOP in their current spineless incarnation.
23
@hen3ry I blame Sen. McConnell for what’s happened to our country. He started this downhill slide by blocking President Obama’s choice to replace the late Justice Scalia. The news had barely broken when Mitch said no way will Obama get to name his replacement. Let the voters decide he said. More people chose Clinton over trump by 2.9 Million votes. Republicans should’ve vetted him before allowing him to run under their party banner. The party of Lincoln has died and I hope more moderates who feel like a pariah being in the GOP like Sen. Romney will start a new one envisioned by Lincoln
1
"Conservative icon," as if that were something to be proud of.
Seven self-righteous Republican women from Slackjaw, Kentucky weigh in and this equates to respect and divine stoic authenticity?
I'm unmoved.
Citing divine oversight, they should look to their bible more in depth.
The US is learning what it is like to live under the tyranny of evil men.
Shockingly for now, it appears they have done only a fraction of damage that evil men can achieve. But, the degradation of the country's people, infrastructure and Eco-terroism will be fully born in the years to come.
32
I am not a Kentuckian.
But folks of Kentucky have indeed wisdom to keep electing Mitch to the Senate.
I commend them.
So, I am sorry to differ with this quote;
"“He knows that he’s not only representing the country as our Senate majority leader, but he is representing the president of the United States,” .."
No. He is not representing POTUS. If he did that - he would lose big time.
What he has been doing best is to preserve powers of Senate and individual senators.
He is representing the Senate our Founders thought it ought to be - to the best of his abilities.
Our POTUS has asked Mitch many times to abolish filibuster, so he can pass all kinds of bill's.
He has rightly refused.
He has steadfastly refused to bring bills to the floor - if the bill does not have a majority of his caucus.
And I dare say that if Mitch had been leader during Reid term - despite all roadblocks - he would have refused to wield the nuclear option.
Heck, he warned them after Reid unleashed that weapon.
Folks may praise Reid - but he gave away powers of individual senators including those of his party.
Even yesterday, his insistence on Clinton precedent for Impeachment - led to a swift acquittal.
So, in my opinion - to use Robert Caro - he is another "Master of the Senate."
2
McConnell’s not fit to shine LBJ’s shoes.
10
@Neil
Oh please!
Read all of Caro’s bios of LBJ.
McConnell is no LBJ.
LBJ was able to make course corrections that were better for the US.
1
@Neil He has hurt Kentucky and Kentuckians. There are many, many people here who revile him. Remember. Trump campaigned for Bevin. Bevin lost.
Amy McGrath please,
1
Kentucky, although considered competitive, is a reddish state and like most red states has no professional sports teams. 75% or Red States have None. These red states have no outlets and diminishing job options which feeds their obsessions with the South Rising. McConnell is their Salvation, of course he is God to them. He offers sport like no other--Blood Sport at the Nation's Expense and Kentucky eats it up
19
Boycott Kentucky. They have inflicted McConnell on us.
36
@Joann That is really not that hard to do. It's like boycotting Antarctica. I would'nt go there, either. Too many other great places to visit.
I was in Louisville, many years ago. I recall it's main industry in town was pawn shops.
3
@John Well Sir. That does't sound right to me. Come back to Louisville and I'll take you for a ride on authentic steamboat, we can go by the Sanctuary Church in town and then visit the number of refugee organizations scattered around the city. We can visit one of our Olmstead parks, or wander the banks of the mighty Ohio River. We will have a multitude of international cuisines to choose from for lunch. Too bad you missed the Dalai Lama's visit some years ago. But you can visit one of the Muslim. Hindu, or Buddhist temples here in town.
Any city has its barnacles and beauty. Just because we have McConnell hanging around doesn't mean we like him or that we stink.
I am not conservative or a republican but an independent I respect Mitch McConnell of Kentucky (the birth sate of Abraham Lincoln) for most of what he has done in the senate and for the Kentuckians. No one should forget his remarkable feat in rising from just another senator to becoming the senate majority leader, the highest position he dreamed he will one day love to hold. Going to the senate in Washington from one of the poorest states in the US and becoming one of the 100 senators is simply amazing.
What is more important is filling almost 200 judges and 2 justices in just 2 short years. Sen McConnell did not secure Trump's acquittal. He was one of the fair minded senators with a single vote and he ensured the conduct of the senate trial was fair to the house managers and the Trump defense team. Both parties got equal time and the senate did what it was supposed to do and nothing more. As he said from the very beginning the impeachment articles were "shoddy" and "incomplete" because they did not wait to get all the witnesses they wanted in the house.
It is time for all Trump hating and McConnell hating people to rethink their own impressions based on biased opinions. It is not very constructive.
2
@Girish Kotwal I counter your opinion by saying from my Minnesota standpoint that Mitch McConnell is responsible for undermining the democracy that a revolution fought for and that soldiers have defended.
30
yes, bias, the first impeachment trial in the Senate in the history of our country without witnesses or documents. The whole country knows that he and his republican colleagues abdicated their responsibilities and diminished the power of the Senate. Ignoring Bill's without letting debate happen and resend back to the House is how the system is supposed to work. Not refusing to discuss anything to address the real and serious issues that all Americans face and govt must address. He ignored witnesses with Kavanagh, ignored his responsibility to at least consider Merritt Garland. He declared no cooperation with Obama, the duly elected president. He is no one to admire. He has spat on democracy, the rule of law, and his oath to the constitution. He certainly has done almost nothing in recent memory to help Kentuckians. Ask the retired coal miners and Kentuckians in general how they feel about being left out of health insurance. The only things he has interest in developing are projects he and his wife's family have business interest in, along with taking a govt paycheck
14
@Girish Kotwal Like it or not, if the republic survives, McConnell will not age well for the history books.
8
So many of these comments predict how history will or won't remember Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, or the GOP. History is written by the winners. If good-willed, thoughtful Americans don't get involved, educate themselves about the issues, fight harder than ever against corruption, and vote, then history will remember these devils as saints-- for the devils will have written it.
29
USA is the greatest country on earth where democracy prevails and there is a dream for anyone who is privileged to legally work hard for it.
The government works for the people and the POTUS always put American values on top of the list while bringing harmony at a global level.
That is a dream and is becoming a myth.
Lust for Power and Greed is leading the way towards how elected representatives are doing their duties. GOP party is being controlled by Big Corp. Mitch should be removed as he is killing the republicans values.
25
Again, another example of why we’re not going to “be great again”. These poor people can’t see that they’re being manipulated through their “beliefs”. Their fears of others that aren’t exactly like them, which are really shallow prejudices, enable the snake oil salesmen and con artists to raise their self-righteousness on subjects they don’t understand. Sad.
These voters haven’t been able to fully utilize our educational system, one of many “social” systems under attack. So they don’t realize “their” Republicans are really the southern democrats of old who switched parties when Johnson pulled a fast one on them and pushed through the Civil Rights Bill. These republicans are financed by a cadre of the extremely wealthy who don’t want to give their money up. They don’t want programs that help the masses out, they don’t want to pay taxes, they don’t care about anyone else, they just finance “republican” candidates who will do their bidding in Congress to repeal laws that protect the average citizen so they can continue to be taken advantage of by the super-rich. The zenith has been reached with McConnell and the dummy on his lap, trump.
Ironically, Mitch’s state is one of the major benefactors of these federal programs, including most recently healthcare. Those voters don’t get that Mitch and Donny are working to take it away as fast as they can leaving most of them with nothing.
26
Maybe he's become a "conservative icon," but that doesn't make him any less a criminal and a traitor to this country. That seems to be the Republican way now. The U.S. is under minority rule because of how senators are elected. There is no equal or fair representation in the Senate. Why should republican senators who represent a disproportionately smaller population be able to dictate the direction of the country? It's an antiquated system that needs to change to better represent the country today.
29
McConnell has already imposed his vision of what our country should be in a manner that is nearly indelible. It will be interesting to see what remains to be done. Is he trying to make our country a 'better' place or inflict some cruelty on those who do not carry their own weight for whatever reason. Bleeding heart liberals, like many of us, will have much to be sad about when he's through with us.
5
@kirk
McConnell succeeds because there aren't enough 'bleeding heart liberals" with a spine and unwavering conviction.
McConnell is successful and gets elected because he respects his voting base. He doesn't tell them to tone down their demands, or prime them for compromise.
Democrats do that all the time, and then wonder why they lose at the ballot box. If you have no spine to stand by your principles, you don't deserve to win.
1
@Viv
'respects his voting base', wow. Doesn't put said base in a very good light does it?
2
@Elias
Instead of judging them for what they want, you could learn a thing or two from them to also get what you want.
Of course judging people and calling them demeaning names is more fun. If only basking in the cleverness of insults and moral superiority were an effective way to get things done.
1
How? Would have had to have happened after a months long program of aversion therapy...
Kentucky, especially poor Kentucky, has been sacrificed by both parties. Many of the poorest counties continue to have little access to clean water, regulation of coal and other contaminents is lax, education under-funded. Threatened loss jobs and ignorance make regulation, enforcement, compliance, the third rail for any candidate. Good luck to Amy McGrath.
13
@winchestereast
Sadly, Kentuckians generally vote against their own interests. It was a nice fluke that the electorate elected a sane Dem governor, 2018; hopefully, the people of Ky will start to want sane, caring and competent governance if the governor is able to succeed.
1
His followers probably won’t think it’s so funny when the Dems finally do get power and start thinking about retribution, which I’m afraid will happen. Republican brazenness will not go unanswered. This will lead up an ever spiraling race to the bottom.
5
I remember a while back when my husband and I bought a sofa for the living room. We liked it in the showroom, but after it was delivered, we were not comfortable sitting on it.
We spoke to the manager of the store and he said that the only returns they took was if the item was damaged. Even though that was not communicated to us at the time, and we were silly young newlyweds, we were stuck with an uncomfortable sofa that seemed to get uglier by the day.
We pleaded with the manager, and he told us to simply "learn to love it because we are not taking it back."
I guess if I loved ugly furniture, I could have learned to love it.
I honestly don't know how anyone could actually "love" Mitch McConnell.
22
Mitch is the enemy of the people. He works feverishly to take things away from Americans each and every day.
He has refused to work on house bills passed that would address--gun safety, the minimum wage, equal pay for equal work and on and on and on.
He doesn't care about you and you should not care about him.
39
He should enjoy praise he's getting now because the history books are not going to treat him or Trump, both who were nothing and made by Roger Ailes, kindly.
11
Good to know conservative now means a person who despises the Constitution and would love to have a fascist dictatorship in place, so long as he could make money off of it.
40
Max Atherton, a 27-year-old finance director at a car dealership, who described himself as a “Brooks Brothers Republican,”
Max, you wish! Come to Boston and you can meet real Brooks Brothers Republicans like Governor Charlie Baker, Governor Bill Weld, Governor Mitt Romney.
26
Isn't his popularity really poor in Kentucky.
11
@GUANNA one doesn’t have to be popular if the other person is even more unlikable
1
How does this feckless guy live with himself - history will not judge him as a creative or pertinent legislator but as a sycophantic, duplicitous shill who hardly deserves to walk in the hallowed halls he occupies. A self-serving, shameless, petty, vindictive man whose tenure has ensured he lined his pockets while he makes a mockery of his position and continues to con his constituents.
37
McConnell sold his soul to the devil for power and money. Sooner or later the devil collects his debts.
68
I think he is toast in Kentucky. Smart people hopefully rule.
22
Conservative icon? Give me a break! McConnell is a thug and an enabler, and most tellingly a roadblock to democracy. A true conservative upholds the ideals of our government and our democracy. McConnell is venally partisan, and totally in thrall to Trump. There are hundreds and hundreds of bipartisan bills sitting on his desk passed by the House. He won't let any of them go forward. Why? because he won't do anything to endanger his own power, or to make Emperor Donald upset. He has essentially neutered the Senate as a legislative body. And Kentuckyians are happy with that? Where are the conservative patriots? McConnell has let everything go to rot.
62
Kentuckians seem satisfied with bizarre characters like McConnell, Rand Paul and Matt Bevin. There's a vivid descriptor for these, but I can't use it in a general newspaper. What do Paul and McConnell have in common (Bevin thankfully is gone from the scene)? It is their total and complete disinterest in the desperately poor coal miners in southeast Kentucky.
In fact, the majority of Kentuckians -- the poor and working stiffs -- have no representation in Washington. McConnell and Paul always seem to have bigger fish to fry on the national stage; far as anyone can tell, they have never signed on to a legitimate piece of legislation intended to improve the lot of the mining communities. I've driven through these areas and I can tell you, it is like seeing a third world, failing nation. People live in tar paper shacks, many without even outhouses, and lead lives of quiet desperation, while McConnell and Paul enrich their bank accounts at the public trough.
If I headed the DNC, is would devote the majority of campaign assistance to Amy McGrath. If getting rid of Trump is the A1 priority, getting rid of McConnell is A1-1/2.
54
@PaulB67 Well we did take a kind of morose satisfaction in having 3 of the most awful and disliked politicians in the country. We got rid of Bevin in 2019. We sure are working hard to get rid of the other two. In 2019 we saw more blue sections in the state. McConnell's opponent McGrath has an uphill battle. Wish us luck!
25
@Alice best of luck. Many of us non Kentuckians are supporting Ms. McGrath.
11
It was odd that Matt Bevin wasn't mentioned in the article since he tried to primary Mitch from the right and, unsurprisingly unsuccessful, ran for Governor after losing to Mitch in the 2014 GOP primary. Would've illustrated both the Tea Party's ambivalence towards McConnell and the latter's uncanny ability to co-opt his internal party enemies afterwards.
BTW, Kentucky's new Attorney General, Daniel Cameron, is McConnell's protege.
1
Since the ladies of Kentucky believe that the politics of the past three years are the result of preternatural intervention, let us hope that no one, mortal or divine, decides to repeal the 13-15th and 24th amendments or our country will really be in trouble.
8
I wish someone would have asked me! I’m a lifelong republican woman that can’t wait to vote for Amy McGrath!
121
@Laurie Thank you! I’m right across the river from KY and I love your state and its people. Kentucky deserves better. Beshear and McGrath are two steps in the right direction.
16
@Laurie
Thank you! Good for you, your country, and posterity. Go Amy McGrath! I am from Pennsylvania but have contributed to McGrath's campaign. McConnell and his buddy Trump should both be shown the door come November.
16
In other words, a true member of the Confederacy. Well done, Mitch, well done! I'm sure history will remember you fondly
21
I find it close to unbearable to listen/read the justifications and glorifications for Trump and McConnell.
There seems to be a direct correlation between the obscenities of the two of them and the absurd worship like attitude of their supporters. Meaning the more corrupt the actions of Trump & McConnell Inc. the greater the contortion to explain or justify. Very much like the enmeshed relationship with an abusive spouse.
As is clear here there are plenty of women who are well invested in the patriarchy. Especially white evangelical women. Throw in willful ignorance and here we are.
48
Conservative? He is no conservative. He is an craven opportunist. From his first election as a county judge in Kentucky to his current role in the US Senate, he has been first and foremost about Mitch. Best evidence? His wealth as a county judge and his current wealth. He is an exemplar of craven opportunism.
72
What is truly sad, the moment he is most proud of is looking Obama in the face and tell him that he is not going uphold his obligations to the oath he took.
Also, the Kentucky woman in the story need a civic lesson. It’s not the role of the senate leader to prop up the president. Different branches of government lady, this isn’t Russia or any other banana republic.
Oh wait, it is.
42
Go figure, Kentucky is one of the poorer states in the union. I lived there several years ago and doubt that it has changed much. What is really sad is that these conservative women must hate other women, to be so enthralled by #45 and Mc Connell - go figure.
7
Kathy Stocks represents all you need to know about the majority of white American women. She and her demographic are the reason Trump will prevail in November.
16
@TDW While white women were split 50/50 by party vote, educated white American women voted 59% Democratic, 39% GOP.
1
Mitch McConnell has disgraced his party, his oath, and the public. We will be dealing with his destructive practices for decades. I hope his ultimate judgment day reflects what he truly deserves.
76
McConnell and his wife are corrupt, so it's no wonder they support Trump. They enriched themselves and his wife's family through their political connections. The reason I dislike the Republican Party so much is they are entirely corrupt. They have put extraction idustry executives over all Dept of Interior Agencies. Why? So they can remove bothersome regulations and upon leaving government they will return to industry and enrich themselves as a result of their government actions. But on this I agree - McConnell is absolutely ruthless and doesn't care what anyone thinks about him. Hate him? He would say bring it on - I'm getting rich. You're not.
67
This is a must-read article for supporters of Amy McGrath, for it reveals the intractability and irrationality of McConnell's base. As quoted elsewhere, McGrath has said, “A lot of the reasons you voted for Trump—‘drain the swamp’? Folks, you can’t drain the swamp until you get rid of Mitch McConnell. That’s the case I’m going to be making.”
But the case must include tangibles that make sense to the Democratic base and the undecideds, that add up to a better option than reelecting McConnell. The seven Republican women won't be changing their minds anytime soon. They're good with the swamp and have no desire to leave it, so focus on those who see the need for change.
36
I'd love to get rid of McConnell, but not to just replace him with a Democrat that votes as a quasi-Republican.
2
@Joel
Support anyone running against him. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of good. Charles Booker is running against him as well. The more people attacking him the better.
2
We in KY like Mitch because he just gets it done. He’s not a grandstander, it’s not all about him, it’s about doing the job of Senate Majority leader and doing it well.
3
@India What does he get done? He obfuscates, He doesn't represent the country. He only consolidates power and uses it to avoid change that is unfavorable or threatens his power. When we ere kids, we'd pick Mitch last on the baseball diamond and make him play deep right field.
48
Yes, he’s great at coverups. And what has he done for coal miners lately?
9
The people of Kentucky may have voted for McConnell, but the rest of us didn't, yet we are forced to accept his refusal to discharge the duties of his office in what ever way he chooses, from stonewalling a supreme court justice nomination to failing to bring bipartisan legislation passed by the House to a vote in the Senate.
Mitch McConnell's iron grip on the Senate has done almost as much damage to the country as Donald Trump's presidency has.
84
@dutchiris
More actually. Without the senate this would have been dealt with quickly if they respected the rule of law and their duty to protect us against tyranny.
1
The intense focus here on domestic politics misses one of Sen. McConnell's contributions: his work both in public and in the shadows has generated a pro-Russian stance at the senior levels of the US government that we haven't since since, when, maybe since Alger Hiss went to Yalta to advise the president?
29
While John McCain was tagged with one descriptive name (Maverick), for his independence and country over party allegiance, Mitch McConnell as this article reminds us has had many. I think that those who think they captured his essence with some of the names in this article, may have missed the most all encompassing one, Minion Mitch. He has abandoned even long held Republican Party sacrosanct principles in his service to Trump for a favored seat at his right hand. Based on actions to date, you have to wonder if there is anything he wouldn't do to keep his seat at the table.
22
re: conservative
There is nothing conservative about Donald Trump. The only thing about McConnell is the confirmation of federal judges for which he destroyed the Senate to accomplish.
However, Mitt Romney is a true conservative: socially, politically, financially, and constitutionally. Romney is just not anathema to Republicans for his guilty vote, but because he is a true conservative. Republicans have abandoned all those principles to worship Trump.
48
The good news is that registered Democratic voters in Kentucky still outnumber registered Republican voters. The bad news is that most registered voters, as well as eligible voters, don't bother to vote. And the Kentucky Democratic Party has a tendency to nominate really weak candidates for statewide elections.
20
@Joel Do you think the recent Bevin pardons and Beshear election might motivate more voters to get out the vote for Dems?
1
@Joel Amy McGrath is not a weak candidate. She's a very strong candidate.
1
We have (or had) friends in Kentucky who are supporting McConnell (and Trump) at all costs. It is utterly mind boggling to us, given what McConnell has done and what he stands for as the many comments here demonstrate. These friends are both professional (doctor, lawyer) and seem enthralled by McConnell. He apparently helped them secure a visa for their adopted granddaughter to visit China. So that apparently makes him a hero and a real Senator of the people, in their eyes. They have said they will vote (again) for Trump in the next election, and that they believe not one word that is published in the New York Times or the Washington Post. They refused to respond to multiple, very polite, inquiries as to why they support Trump, but are quick to say that the alternatives are much worse (including Vice President Biden, whom they say is just as bad because of his (totally unsubstantiated) corrupt dealings with Ukraine. They could only mouth all of the Fox news talking points. How utterly depressing. We are exhorted to engage the other side, to talk to those outside of our bubble and have some type of dialog to find common ground. But our efforts went nowhere.
There seems to be no other way than to get everyone to vote. There are more registered Democrats than Republicans. The country clearly supports most of what Republicans do not stand for and are opposed to. The majority must eventually prevail.
52
Whoever loves a monster does so at their peril.
The giving and the taking of individual power is in defiance of and to the detriment of a government once dedicated to achieving a true democracy.
When certain Republicans decided to use money to grasp control of all three branches (a system of checks and balances which has thus ceased to work) of our government, not enough Democrats failed to understand or to develop a successful opposition.
Will this nation now succumb to autocratic oppression, resigned to living in fear as have others who still suffer?
Or can we rise to the daunting challenge of fighting for the freedom we once enjoyed?
8
It’s so difficult to watch this administration ignore the wishes of the American people while ignoring all the past rules of Democracy , bulling and being proud of it . Of course McConnell lines his pockets and his wife and her family . He leaves all the bills on his desk that could help the country while pushing through the tax break that helps the wealthy.
17
When history is finally written about this era, I hope the book on Senator McConnell is entitled "The man who destroyed the senate". He has bent and shaped the institution he claims to love by blasting away the guardrails that once held it together. Eventually, he will get his due, but by then, the senate will be like the house.
24
Thank you, Harry Reid, for killing the filibuster. Now, Trump's next FOUR Supreme Court nominees will be summarily confirmed!
11
@Tom
Reid was outplayed by McConnell who threatened to filibuster. Rather than changing the filibuster rule, Reid should have called McConnell's bluff. We should revile McConnell but never underestimate him; he's an evil genius.
5
Are the words “false” and “lie” interchangeable? Same with “exaggerated” and “give me a break”. Asking for a friend.
11
When will McConnell be investigated for enriching his wife's Chinese family with lucrative contracts for roads and bridges. Oh, did I forget to mention she also heads up the U.S. Department of Transportation?
144
@j24 Her only qualification is a driver's license - nothing more.
12
McConnell and Trump will go down in history as two of the worst, most destructive, unpatriotic, corrupt leaders in our history. They will join the likes of Andrew Jackson, Joseph McCarthy, Bush Jr and Reagan.
96
@PE
What difference will it make? The way things are going Trump is very likely to win a second term. The Republicans are very likely to regain the House and retain their slim majority in the Senate. As a result the Supreme Court and courts will be packed by Trump judges - dispensing justice for the next 40 odd years. Elections have consequences and Demorats are on the verge of repeating the 2016 fiasco in 2020
2
@PE Sorry, Reagan wasn't entirely corrupt -- just too lame to know what people were doing on behalf. And therefore a perfect leader for the GOP.
2
He's just not a good person.
38
The enemy of the people.
36
Anything for a buck McConnell
Bribery is just part of the Kit
24
McConnell's fall, like Donald Trump's, is going to be spectacular.
64
Reality Check our beautifull country turned into bunch deplorable . Cant blame those who represent us our culture lost its vission of freedom. Drugs ruined last two generations an now we have government who is in denial we have problem wont go away.72 million people on medicaid an living in poverty slums of america. So dont believe what ya hear ,seeing is beleiving
6
When will the NYT and other media stop calling the Republican party and Republicans, "conservative?" That adjective serves to legitimize a party that today does not have the right to claim any
political ideology.
39
This just begs the question: What is a Republican?
20
These are indeed crazy and frustrating times, spearheaded by Mr. McConnell. History won't be kind to him.
24
McConnell can easily garner the support f nearly all Republicans owing to his utter lack of ethics, truth, and integrity. He's a dedicated soldier in the southern states war against America, begun formerly in 1861. I doubt seriously if he opposes slavery, and certainly embraces authoritarianism to the degree it meets his sense of justice defined by 'the ends justify the means'.
There was no real acquittal this week since there was no real trial.
32
@Feldman
Please! I do not not not claim the Ogre of the Senate as part of my south. Kentucky can take him home. I hope they do, but he ought to be prosecuted.
And I resent your reference to “the southern states war against America”.
That piece of history was far more complex than you indicate and educated citizens understand that.
5
There are still Republicans? Where?
9
@Jim Mitt Romney. That’s it.
9
Thinks he’s going to Heaven. Presumptive, like so many of his statements.
11
"“I think it was a plan designed only by God that Senator McConnell was put in the position that he is,” said Kathy Stocks, the chairwoman of the Scott County Republican Party."
Looks like many in Kentucky still believe in fairy tales so Mitch is still their hero.
21
FYI - Scott County is one of the fastest growing counties in Kentucky, thanks to the Toyota plant in Georgetown. Thankfully, not everyone there is as delusional as the county's GOP chair, though certainly she's no outlier.
3
I never saw any Republicans like these people when I was growing up in Kansas. The people took their spines out and sold them for 30 pieces of silver.
140
@Sherril Wells
Same here, growing up in Texas.
To understand betrayal, you have to have a value
system that includes the concept of honor. That is
gone gone gone with this GOP. And Trump never had it to
begin with.
50
McConnell didn't save Trump's bacon for free. He held all the cards. He could have strategically configured his members to push for witnesses and documents, embargoed by Trump. The Republican Senators in the vulnerable states would have been weakened as a result, no question. And trump would have gone after them. So, instead of endorsing a "full and fair hearing", where, "no one is above the law", and "we-needed a complete and total airing of the facts"., etc., he chose to take the politically expedient, low road and curry favor with the venal POTUS. In effect, he guaranteed his acquittal. But, 100% of the Republican Senators needed to play along. McConnell probably extracted a high price from Trump. What those deals are remains to be seen. So, Mitch was the real winner. Going into the election he removed some potential bumps in the road, will most likely hold onto his majority, and gets more pork all around (pork, pork and more pork).
20
@Harley Leiber
Tyranny tends to destroy capitalism. I’m not sure what these people gain? He already had everything and is old. What more could they gain? There is no excuse or reason beyond sone creepy ideology which makes him even more dangerous.
I have been puzzling over who could take McConnell down, and the one Kentuckian with sufficient star power I can think of is George Clooney. But he has expressed no interest. So the best we can hope for is that people in four other states manage to put McConnell back in the minority. Then perhaps the constitutional crisis he has inflicted on us will end. On the bright side, his complaint about "partisanship" by the Democrats indicates he does have a sense of humor.
11
Douglas Evans: Don’t give up on Amy McGrath. She has a fighting chance. Support her and call all your friends in Kentucky to do the same.
Quit calling him a "conservative" icon. There's nothing conservative about the current Republican party that doesn't care about the Constitution, the rule of law, deficits, or the US as an international beacon of democracy. Better to say he's an icon of the Trump cult.
38
@Michael Or the exploding national deficit apparently. What happen to fiscal conservatism?
8
@Kevin I
Government spending is controlled by the House, which is controlled by the Democrats. There is where the problem resides.
Dems only recently took back control of the House, and are not the ones responsible for cancelling the government’s income.
5
McConnell is a political liability to Democracy.
22
I totally understand McConnell’s end game with the impeachment (not condoning) but I get it. He is a politician and that is what they all do. Survive.
However, the moral relativistic acrobatics that the likes of Franklin Graham and Paula White have clearly shown what the so-call moral majority was is about - power at whatever cost.
18
I remember him first popping up on my radar when he made repealing the estate tax (aka, the "death tax") his particular crusade -- fighting for the 0.1 percent who even face the estate tax.
The dishonesty of his approach (aided and abetted by the GOP's 24/7 propaganda machine) was successful in conning enough Americans into thinking they even had estates in risk of being taxed. Huge propaganda victory, and set the stage for a career in manipulation and mendacity for McConnell.
Putting the "con" in "conservative" for 30 years...
27
McConnell has proven to be an excellent facilitator of the Trump agenda. Supreme Court justices, federal court judges, impeachment non-sense. He is a hero.
3
#TrumpAdministration is an abyss. True Americans can thank #romneygetsaconscience for thinking forward (re: how his grandchildren will remember him during these times.)
Apparently we're lucky that the rest of the republicans never had any children or grandchildren to worry about. (I wish)
4
Why does the media and the nation continue to refer to the trump GOP as 'conservative'? There is NOTHING conservative about them! These are radical reactionaries, intent on burning down the house. Wake up, don't give them cover with words.
27
What McConnell has done to damage our governmental process will live on in infamy. He is a major part of the rot and corruption from within. I am praying for a miracle that he will be voted out of office.
19
@Gina Kentucky has kept him in office for a long time for whatever ignorant reason. I, too, hope he will be voted out, but have little confidence in a state which would have elected him in the first place.
Embarrassed by co-conspiracy would be an understandable emotion for republicans to feel, but “love” for McConnell? I can’t figure it out.
8
Yeah, he’s despised by all the right people.
There’s also the chance he’ll be known as having paved the way for WW III.
But it doesn’t matter. There won’t be any history books anymore.
And Putin will be grateful for all his foresight.
6
Conservative icon?
What’s “conservative” about busting norms, trashing institutions, and undermining the US Constitution?
20
Perhaps the Church needs to be removed from all education systems. We have the Christian religion wanting or already having replaced Science with Bible Studies. Now we are dealing with Justice being meted out without witnesses. Will large tanks of water be tooled into courts next? Will law schools be replaced with seminaries?
13
Times like these are truly saddening and frightening for what could at one time have been a wonderful, open, democratic society. The worst of Washington.
4
Can we adjust the level of gaslighting please?
Trump was acquitted 52-48 and 53-47 respectively for charges of Abuse of power and Obstruction of Congress. That is not a mandate from America to lecture us about anything, much less crow or bully.
The rest of the picture:
Trump lost the popular vote by millions.
He is the least popular president in our history with underwater numbers since Week 2.
He has paid millions in fines for cheating charities. His "kids" have to attend classes to learn how not to cheat along with their dad.
Presenting this as some sort of "win" is like saying Rush Limbaugh's medal for lying to his listeners about what in the end caused his own illness is real.
Reality please.
162
@Kay Johnson Ohio but it is a 'win', since without Senator McConnell reminding GOP senators that the Republican National Party can easily primary out anyone who dares vote for a fair trial, isn't it possible president would be not only impeached, but convicted? Why NO WITNESSES and NO DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE? What are Republicans so anxious to hide?
13
@Kay Johnson
Gaslighting? We have to be legally precise.
Mr Trump was NOT acquitted for abuse of power. In no way. Mr. Alexander, speaking for GOP faction of the Senate has confirmed misconduct by abuse of power explicitely and comfirmed all allegatio of Mr Bolton as true.
Mr Trump was aquitted from the only impeachable charge "hIgh crime" or "misdemeanor" just because simple abuse of power alone is no impeachable crime according to the majority of the Senate who has the sole power to decide on this issue. Abuse of power has to be qualified to be seen as "midemeanor" and Senate has decided that squeezing Mr Zelensky as MP of a deeply corrupt foreign country was not sufficient.
This was no surprise because Senate had decided in the past that even a true crime undeniable committed by Mr Clinton was not impeachable. It was not assessed not as impeachable "high crime or misdemeanor" according to the impeachment rules of the Constitution then. So from an impartial legal view from outside the recent decision is comprehensible even Mr. Trump has the benefit.
So you should forget this joint Dem's/media blunder as soon as possible, get angry about Iowa even more and most of all focus on coming election.
There is nothing "conservative" about what McConnell and the Trumplicans are doing. The most radical, institutional demolishing cult group in my lifetime.
85
@gdurt. Is this election the last one? Vote Republicans out : they've earned it.
9
"“I think it was a plan designed only by God that Senator McConnell was put in the position that he is,” said Kathy Stocks, the chairwoman of the Scott County Republican Party."
God has a wicked sense of humor.
38
McConnell’s fate will not be driven by his Republican fans; it will be decided by Democrats who are most motivated to vote, who will crawl on hands and knees over broken glass to get to the polls to make sure they never see his face again.
57
He’s not conservative. He’s reactionary. Don’t given legitimacy to populists and authoritarian-leaning people by labeling them “conservative”
33
McConnell’s legacy will be one of infamy, from blocking renewal of SCOTUS by refusing to obey the Constitution, to his treacherous role in the impeachment trial, which he eviscerate by refusing newly revealed germane testimony and facts. He will be able to play tortoise for only so long, and his desiccated carapace will reveal the extent of his corruption. A man without honour.
29
McConnell has seriously damaged this country and is largely responsible for the extreme cynicism we see today, that will be his legacy. As hard as I try otherwise, I cannot see Gorsuch and Kavanaugh as anything more than pretenders to their Supreme court seats.
32
Uhm Lets see when the Trump economy hits the fan and see who has the last laugh
Frankly i do not care about what a 20 yo has to say as once one myself you lack perspective put it simply
as per the old boomers (GOP-RIPS) quoted here they are done only looking forward to meet a version of God that does not exist
2
It is horrifying to me that so many of my fellow Americans are wrapped in the flag and holding the bible as they promote and enact pure evil on this nation and the world.
95
Republican Party? I'm sorry, you mean the Party of Trump.
The former is a smoldering ruin. Just wanted to make sure that was clear.
32
"...a plan designed only by God..." The weaponizing of religion for political purposes is the worst offense against democracy committed by Trump and the Trump Party. Nothing else has such power to prevent us from working together.
20
this is ludicrous. the whole "a republican is finally playing hardball" line - especially when applied to mcconnell - is simply inaccurate. the republican party has been the party of dirty tricks, lies, and hardball for years (see lee atwater, vermont phone jamming, overtly racially discriminatory gerrymandering, etc.).
harry reid was an outlier in the democratic party. so was rahm emanuel.
we need reid and rahm back in congress. and Lord knows i wish LBJ and ted kennedy were still alive. democratic strategists and strong-armers, unite. it's time.
18
@Andie
Check our the Damage Report with John.
Amy McGrath, We will dance in the streets when you defeat McConnell. You have supporters far and wide. McConnell is a consigliere to his boss.
48
Completely crippling bipartisanship, refusing to pass any House bills, tax cuts for the rich and corporations only, blowing up the deficit, sanctioning outside influences in US elections, halting supreme court nominations and qualifying only extreme right judges, ignoring the constitution, defying the rule of law, turning the Senate into a joke and single handily enabling an unhinged lunatic in the white house.
Yeah, great guy. Heaven sent.
269
@Mark Carolla, I just sent a contribution to his Democratic opponent - along with a prayer to the higher power of my understanding (not Ms. Stocks') that she wins.
24
@CP
Me too and while I generally abstain from supporting out of state races, he has made the fight quite personal so the gloves are off.
10
@Mark Carolla, McConnell is the most craven, most appalling unAmerican Trump worshipper in the government. He's so bad, he is actually proud of preventing bringing legislation to the Senate floor, and appointing unqualified, conspiracy addled judges. He is the heart of Trump's corruption and history will take note of his terrible time as head of the Senate, contributing to the potential demise of Congressional responsibilities and oversight.
5
This is a weak take. McConnell was sainted from the moment he demonstrated effective resistance to Obama on every front. He was deified the instant that he proclaimed Merrick Garland would never get a vote.
It is now up to any and all who care about democracy to see that his "side" doesn't get the long-term victory and doesn't get to write the narrative. He should be an arch-villain in the annals of our republic, but that only happens if democracy wins the day.
178
Kentuckians will welcome the chance to vote for Amy McGrath come November. Marine fighter pilot. Mother. Working class background. And not beholden to Big Pharma.
It's simply a matter of honing the McGrath v McConnell arguments down to where folks on the street (and farm) can understand and pass them along.
Educating the electorate will pay dividends.
132
Let's not put the cart before the horse: McGrath has to win the primary first. I will vote for any Democratic candidate against McConnell, as I have always done, but McGrath needs to show more to earn the primary vote. Saying that she would vote to confirm Kavanaugh and hinting at not voting for Trump's removal were not at all persuasive to this Kentucky voter.
5
As a democracy America is over. trump lost the last election by 3 million votes. Where’s the democracy?
56
I think it's a travesty that the media rewards such behavior as McConnell's; the chief architect of the demise of our democracy, with a moniker such as "icon". It is also, I think, a misnomer to refer to the constituiencies that lionize him as "Conservatives". By their actions on Impeachment, not the acquittal so much as the cover up via blocking key witnesses, MCConnell and the entirety of the GOP caucus have revealed themselves to be dangerous Neo-Fascists. This, "winner take all", congratulatory headline only serves to further erode the norms of governence expected by our Founders. The "Grim Reaper" indeed.
77
To term McConnell a conservative is a misnomer. He has over saw the creation of our nations largest debt. True conservatives
try not to kick the can down the road, McConnell is not conservative.
35
Senator McConnell, a former judge, did a masterful Svengali kind of judicial gamesmanship in this latest attempt by the DNC to unseat this president in the perennial GOTCHA game of two party buffoons...Masterful!
(Judge McConnell it May well be again, and soon too, when the next SCOTUS vacancy becomes available. Trump pays his loyal employees well.)
4
@Moe
The oldest Associate judge ever appointed was 65 back in 1910. McConnell is 77. It would not make sense to appoint McConnell to the Supreme Court as his ability to influence decisions would be limited to 10 years or less because of his advanced age. Better to put someone in who is in their 50's who would be there for 30+ years. ( Thankfully, something our current president could not Picard - just "make it so".)
1
@Moe There is nothing masterful about refusing to allow witnesses or evidence in a trial and declaring you will just do whatever the defendant wants. That's not masterful. It's just corrupt and immoral. You may celebrate this corruption because "your side" won but please take a moment to reflect that the country, decency and democracy lost. You're rejoicing in the dismantling of our republic to protect a lying treasonous criminal. How very sad.
5
McConnell was Jefferson County Judge-Executive, which was a position more like a mayor than a jurist. And it's a position that no longer existed once Louisville and Jefferson County merged governments in the 1990s.
1
From the Declaration of Independence:
"when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government."
15
Does it matter to McConnell's fans that the watchdog group known as CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, perennially cites him in its list of Most Corrupt Members of Congress for his self-enriching financial schemes? Apparently not. For all their self-congratulation about being plain good salt-of-the-earth God-fearing folks, McConnell's fans exhibit an astounding tolerance for his perversions of Senate protocol and rules, apparently as long as these machinations produce some perceived pro-Republican result. Meantime McConnell's home state of Kentucky perennially ranks among the lowest in terms of health care, education, and fiscal stability. Meantime some 400 House bills gather dust on his desk, while he and Trump accuse the House Democrats of being "do-nothings." The spin and hypocrisy echoing back and forth between the two is stupefying.
78
@Mhmllr Nope. They only care about Supreme Court justices.
1
HIS WIFE WORKS WAS APPOINTED BY TRUMP TO A VERY WELL PAID JOB. Shouldn't he have recused himself face with a flagrant case of conflict of interest? Elaine Lan Chao is the Secretary of Transport.
20
My neighbor across the street just took their little snowblower out and cleared the sidewalks for everyone on both sides of the street. I am sure that there is a mix of political views on this street, in this neighborhood.
THAT is America.
Mr. McConnell and the increasingly hateful Mr. Trump wouldn't know that spirit if it hit them on the head. Joseph McCarthy had his day too, until he didn't.
Some of us still remember an America that is WAY more than open season on hating your countrymen and women who think differently than you. That could be a strength, but to these ugly men with shrunken minds, it is a way to encourage hate so they benefit.
Call your reps.
68
@Kay Johnson
The republicans in the Senate fell in behind McCarthy then too. They investigated, found out the truth about him and chose to back him anyway.
The America you speak of has been under attack for decades by those same people. Doing good deeds by common people not associated with Congress doesn't affect political behavior. And they will also point to that like you have and use it to benefit themselves.
People at home say and do things differently than they do at work. Politicians more than most. Even crooks like the can be decent people at home. Ron Paul is the only one we know is an exception to this rule of not relieving yourself in your own backyard.
5
Senator McConnel is the poster boy for why we need term limits for legislators so that some legislator, who I cannot vote for, from over there cannot make my life over here, in NYC, miserable in perpetuity.
209
@MIKEinNYC
Term Limits cannot cure poor decisions, don't prevent people from being corrupt, doesn't prevent bad laws, it doesn't guarantee good laws.
It cannot insure better votes or truth, doesn't bring in smarter or more moral politicians, and has an inverse bearing on those in Congress being seasoned, experienced, looking to the long term, learning from mistakes, and being accountable for their deeds.
Term Limits are a simplistic solution to complex problems of corruption, graft, foolishness, lack of experience, and other many unrelated problems. And studies have shown that new, experienced law makers are the easiest for lobbyists to bully and manipulate.
Term limits would remove guys like McConnell, but people like Pelosi, Schiff, Schumer, Biden, and others would be out too.
Ideas like this have the same flailing, imaginary sequence of "Well, if we do this <>, then this other wonderful thing will happen even though there is no connections, then another good things occur ..."
"Term limits" limit terms. It does nothing else. There is no cause and effect to other good effects, and it was a Tea Party favorite for the things listed above.
It is a good idea for the courts vs lifetime appointments, but not for elected politicians.
After all of the events of the week I'm getting a feeling that Trump and the republicans may overreach and be done in by their own hubris.
45
McConnell has clinically and devastatingly weaponized the inherent tyranny of the minority that is the Senate. Whether or not Democrats retake the White House or the Senate this fall, we will be living under the yoke of his accomplishments for decades to come - and American democracy has been permanently scarred by his selfish and amoral choices.
The only hope left to me in the wake of McConnell's reign is that in the not-as-distant-as-we-think future, when astute historians are documenting the dissolution of the former United States of America, they manage to identify and blame McConnell appropriately for his outsize contribution to the end of national unity.
127
There was a time when politicians wished to be remembered as statesmen. Patriotic protectors of the constitution, America's values and it's laws. Politicians who considered all the inhabitants of their state as constituents and all of the country as the benefactors of their wisdom and experience. Politicians who compromised, worked with and took into consideration opposing arguments. Those days have been replaced by a scorched earth, burned bridges, winner take all attitude that can only be described as cult like, with a religious patina usually found in the theocracies of the middle east that no red blooded American would countenance. I hope McConnell enjoys his brief and unearned adulation because history will show that, like McCarthy, Father Coughlin and countless other demagogues, he has burned the Constitution for short term political gain at the expense of his legacy, his country and his soul.
92
@Rick Gage You are exactly right!
2
Truly a man without honor.
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Tale of the tape*:
• Kentucky is now at the bottom #47 of all US states making it one of the poorest and #1 when it comes to pollution
• McConnell was the poorest Senator when he entered Washington but is now the richest Senator on record
*the Sep 17, 2019 issue of RollingStone magazine.
His fellow politicians might idolize him but his constituents are suffering. Case in point, most Kentucky farmers are living on federal handouts from the taxes of the librul coastal elites making them card carrying socialists.
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@Opinioned!
I hope his rival is using these statistics in her campaign materials.
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@Opinioned! I do not care if they are suffering they can talk to whomever they voted for
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@Opinioned!
Exactly correct. And don't forget his wife Elaine Chao is also grifting hard as Secy of Transportation where, according to a recent Politico article, she set up a special path for millions of dollars in grants of public money to flow to McConnell's political allies.
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