McConnell Set To Be Senate Minority Leader

Kentucky Republican Will Be Unopposed When GOP Senators Pick Their Leader On Nov. 15

(AP) 
Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, McConnell's counterpart on an appropriations committee that funds foreign aid programs, said McConnell was a tough opponent and a trustworthy negotiator.

"We're both very much old school in that if you give your word on something, that's all it takes," Leahy said.

In a recent interview, McConnell said his toughest call as GOP whip was having to ask Vice President Dick Cheney to come back from Afghanistan to break an anticipated tie on a budget vote.

"I said, 'This is gonna be 50-50, and it wouldn't be a great idea for you to be in Afghanistan and for us to lose.' And he was here, and it was 50-50, and we didn't' lose," McConnell said, smiling.

McConnell's efforts to block legislation limiting money in campaigns prompted rivals in the 1990s to label him Darth Vader after the "Star Wars" villain. His success in beating back opposition to campaign finance reform legislation ended in 2002 when Congress eventually rewrote the way campaigns are funded.

A skilled fundraiser, McConnell argues that limiting money in campaigns is akin to limiting political speech. His critics accuse him of protecting special interests such as the horse racing and tobacco industries, which have ties to his state and are among his campaign donors.

McConnell has strengthened the Republican Party in Kentucky by doling out advice, money and staff to candidates.

Kentucky state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, who challenged Republican Sen. Jim Bunning in 2004, said McConnell helped Kentucky's junior senator hang on to his seat by helping orchestrate a harsh campaign.

"He is a master of the negative campaign. He knows how to win elections. He knows it takes money and he knows that with enough money you can make your opponent look as bad as you need to," Mongiardo said of McConnell.

McConnell won his Senate seat in 1984 by launching a fierce challenge to Democratic incumbent Walter Huddleston. To make the point that Huddleston was out of sight and out of touch, McConnell ran tough ads showing bloodhounds searching for Huddleston.

[exusmcsgt]

How fitting that the new minority leader is a "fierce opponent of campaign finance reform". Says quite a bit, in my opinion.

[pendragon679]

"What can we do. Who made these people gods over us. Who gave them the right to oppress our nation."

Weren't you paying attention Tuesday? WE gave these people the power they have. It's called "voting." There are other ways to make your voice heard, you know. Write to YOUR Congressman, YOUR Senator, YOUR party's national Chairman, etc. Write letters to the editors of every major newspaper you can think of. In short, if you object to something, make your voice heard. When enough of us scream, even in this administration, somebody WILL listen.

[radiob-2009]

McConnell escaped a investment scandal in Ky. along with the republican govenor a couple years back but they still keep voting for him.KY. has not yielded a decent representive from either party for almost 40 years.Why do you think KY had up until about 5 years ago the second worst school system in the nation.

[sharncedar]

"Half of a Washington power couple, McConnell, 64, is married to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. "

In a country of 300 million people, Washington is so in-grown and corrupt that two of the top power positions in the country are given through corruption to two people in the same family. As if the rest of us 300 million were unqualified to govern ourselves.

I'm so sick. Sick of Elaine Chao the offshoring queen and her husband the Iraq murderer. What can we do. Who made these people gods over us. Who gave them the right to oppress our nation.