Six more years of this fuckin guy.
Mitch McConnell makes a very
shrewd political play:
"Obviously, I'm a big supporter of Rand Paul. We've developed a very tight relationship, and I'm for him."
For president?
"Whatever he decides to do," McConnell said. "I don't think he's made a final decision on that. But he'll be able to count on me."
No retraction as of yet, but I think there is more than home state buddy buddy going on here. Mitch, whose political skill you all often heard me praise, is building a fortress around his leadership office and positioning Paul as the sane alternative to Cruz. Isolating Cruz is his goal.
McConnell's corporate funders are going to give him what he wants knowing for certain they've got their man. I expect the opposite of what most folks expect, that Cruz will be looking to damage McConnell in order to boost his presidential fortunes. But with Paul also in the hunt, Cruz has to see where too much challenge is going to get him. Newt Gingrich status isn't going to get you to the GOP nomination. So my hunch is Cruz will stay out of McConnell's way and screw with Boehner instead.
McConnell knows 2016 is going to be a year of defense. We can all rest assured he will leave no stone unturned. He is not to be underestimated.