Difference between revisions of "Mitch McConnell"

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{{Officeholder
 
{{Officeholder
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|name=Mitch McConnell
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|name=Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr.
 
|image=McConnell.jpg
 
|image=McConnell.jpg
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|party=[[Republican]]
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|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]
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|spouse=[[Elaine Chao]]
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|spouse=(1) Sherrill Redmon McConnell (divorced 1980)<br>
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|religion=[[Baptist]]
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(2) [[Elaine Chao]]
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|offices=<!--{{Officeholder/senate majority leader
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|religion=[[Southern Baptist]]
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|terms=January 3, 2015 - Present
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|offices=
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{{Officeholder/misc
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|office=[[Senate Majority Leader]]
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|terms=January 3, 2015 – January 20, 2021
 
|preceded=[[Harry Reid]]
 
|preceded=[[Harry Reid]]
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|former=n
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|succeeded=[[Chuck Schumer]]
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|succeeded=
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}}
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}}-->
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{{Officeholder/misc
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|office=[[Senate Minority Leader]]
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|terms=January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2015
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|preceded=Harry Reid
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|succeeded=Harry Reid
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        |terms2=January 3, 2021 - present
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        |preceded=Chuck Schumer
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}}
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{{Officeholder/misc
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|office=Senate Majority Whip
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|terms=January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
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|preceded=Harry Reid
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|succeeded=[[Dick Durbin]]
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}}
 
{{Officeholder/senator
 
{{Officeholder/senator
 
|state=Kentucky
 
|state=Kentucky
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|terms=January 3, 1985 - Present
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|terms=January 3, 1985 – present
 
|preceded=[[Walter Huddleston]]
 
|preceded=[[Walter Huddleston]]
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|former=n
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|status=s
 
|succeeded=
 
|succeeded=
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
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'''Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr.''', born February 20, 1942 (age {{age|1942|2|20}}), is the senior [[Republican]] United States Senator from [[Kentucky]] and the current Senate [[Majority Leader]]. McConnell is a [[RINO]] who blocks [[pro-life]] legislation, who pushes for [[pro-choice]] nominees to the courts, and who rams through [[liberal]]-favored deals to increase the [[debt ceiling]].  
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'''Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr.''', born February 20, 1942 (age {{age|1942|2|20}}), is the senior [[Republican]] United States Senator from [[Kentucky]] and the current Senate [[Minority Leader]]. Although his voting record has been rated as [[conservative]] by some,<ref>[https://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Mitch_McConnell.htm Mitch McConnell on the Issues]</ref> McConnell is an establishment [[RINO Backer]] who has blocked [[pro-life]] legislation ([[Mitch McConnell#Blocking_Graham-Cassidy_bill|see below]]), pushed for [[pro-abortion]] nominees to the courts, and who sometimes rams through [[liberal]]-favored deals to increase the [[debt ceiling]].<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2017/08/21/mitch-mcconnell-zero-chance-vote-freeze-debt-limit/ Mitch McConnell Vows to Raise U.S. Debt Ceiling]</ref>  McConnell is an enemy of [[free speech]] by [[Donald Trump]] and more than 74 million of his supporters.  '''''In 2020, Trump outran McConnell in his home state by more than 4% among voters'''''.  By November 2022, McConnell's unfavorable-favorable rating was 81%-7%.<ref>https://www.libertynation.com/mcconnell-gop-establishment-must-control-primary-outcome/</ref>
  
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==Early life==
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McConnell's protege Justin Reed Walker, who was appointed to the [[D.C. Circuit]] despite relatively little experience or achievement, provided the swing vote for the 2-1 decision upholding sweeping indictments against the [[J6 Capitol protests|J6 rally attendees]] in ''[[United States v. Fischer]]'' (D.C. Cir. Apr. 7, 2023).
  
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McConnell was born in [[Tuscumbia]], [[Alabama]] to Julia Shockley and Addison Mitchell McConnell and raised in south [[Louisville]], Kentucky, he attended duPont Manual High School and graduated from the [[University of Louisville]] College of Arts and Sciences with honors in 1964, where he was student body president and member of Phi Kappa Tau. He graduated in 1967 from the [[University of Kentucky]] College of Law, where he was elected president of the Student Bar Association. McConnell gained experience on Capitol Hill as an intern under Senator [[John Sherman Cooper]], later as an assistant to Senator [[Marlow Cook]], and was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under President [[Gerald R. Ford]].  
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In August 2023, McConnell was heckled at a farm fair in [[Kentucky]], his home state, and [[Trump]] tweeted on his social platform his agreement with the hecklers.<ref>https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-heckled-calls-retire-speech-kentucky-rcna98495</ref>  In the [[2026 GOP Senate primaries]], McConnell is expected to retire rather than face defeat in his own primary by one of several popular [[conservative populism|conservative populist]] Kentucky politicians who could challenge him.
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On November 16, 2022, a remarkable total of 10 [[Republican]] senators voted against reelecting McConnell as their leader, and he prevailed by a vote of only 37-10 when usually those votes are unanimous.<ref>https://www.ksl.com/article/50519296/mitch-mcconnell-reelected-senate-gop-leader-rick-scotts-bid-rejected</ref>  This substantial number of senators who disapprove of McConnell indicates he has become merely a [[lame duck]].  The next day McConnell gushed in praise of [[Leftist]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] as she ended her reign of [[tyranny]] in the [[House]] that included publicly ripping up [[Trump]]'s state-of-the-union address one year, by McConnell praising “her historic tenure” and her “consequential and path-breaking career.”<ref>https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3741221-mcconnell-congratulates-pelosi-on-historic-tenure-and-path-breaking-career/</ref> 
 +
 
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A [[globalist]] clueless about the views of ordinary [[American]]s, McConnell rushed to congratulate [[Joe Biden]] on his stolen election result in December 2020.  He also attempted to silence all Republican senators from objecting to the purported Biden victory, despite a 36-page report of pervasive [[election fraud]] that was "more than sufficient" to steal it from [[Trump]].<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/peter-navarro-releases-36-page-report-alleging-election-fraud-more-than-sufficient-to-swing-victory-to-trump/ar-BB1c0YR8</ref>  McConnell falsely accused President Trump of inciting protesters to do harm, refused to attend Trump's ceremonial departure on January 20th, and encouraged a baseless, unconstitutional [[impeachment and removal]] trial of Trump. Playing both sides, McConnell voted to acquit Trump but then ranted against him.  Perhaps paranoid and/or delusional, McConnell thought the inauguration of [[Biden]] might be disrupted by retired military leaders.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/24/mcconnell-team-raised-worries-about-attack-on-biden-inauguration-ex-nsa-obrien-told-jan-6-committee-00075581</ref>
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McConnell's second wife is [[Elaine Chao]], married since 1993. Chao is from a wealthy [[Taiwan]] family that profits from international trade, and her sister Angela is the second wife of billionaire Jim Breyer, who invests heavily in [[Communist]] [[China]] and has been photographed smiling with its Chairman [[Xi Jinping]]. Chao served in Trump's [[Cabinet]] but stepped down a few weeks before the expiration of the term. Like her husband, the ungrateful Chao lambasted Trump at the end of her service.
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In light of the impeachment coup against President Trump, McConnell called the House vote "unprecedented" and said that the Senate will "provide stability."<ref>[https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-mitch-mcconnell-senate-40bad0f8-9eeb-44ee-87bb-8b5e58814952.html McConnell on Trump impeachment: "The Senate exists for moments like this"]</ref> McConnell failed to call any witnesses at the impeachment trial, such as scandal-ridden [[Hunter Biden]] whose testimony could have ended [[Joe Biden]]'s presidential bid, and McConnell rushed through a vote of acquittal of Trump which proved to be merely a pyrrhic victory.
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McConnell was arguably the least effective [[Majority Leader]] ever during the 115th U.S. Congress (2017-2019), accomplishing remarkably little in the two years of [[Republican]] control of both the [[White House]] and [[Congress]] under President [[Donald Trump]]. While credited with confirming some appellate judges, not all of whom are [[conservative]], McConnell has made less progress in confirming Trump's nominees to district court judgeships.  He did, however, confirm [[Trump]]-appointed Justice [[Amy Coney Barrett]] in near-record time before the 2020 presidential election to fill the seat vacated by the death of [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]].
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In 2018 and again in 2020, McConnell worked overtime to try to keep his critic [[Roy Moore]] from being elected to the [[U.S. Senate]] from [[Alabama]], preferring instead that the deeply [[Republican]] state elect a [[Democrat]] or a pro-[[Deep State]] Republican.
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==Early life==
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McConnell was born in Tuscumbia, [[Alabama]], to Julia Shockley and Addison Mitchell McConnell, Sr., and reared in south [[Louisville]], Kentucky, he attended DuPont Manual High School and graduated from the [[University of Louisville]] College of Arts and Sciences with honors in 1964, where he was student body president and member of Phi Kappa Tau. He graduated in 1967 from the [[University of Kentucky]] College of Law, where he was elected president of the Student Bar Association. McConnell gained experience on Capitol Hill as an intern under [[RINO]] Senator [[John Sherman Cooper]], later as an assistant to Senator [[Marlow Cook]], and was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under President [[Gerald R. Ford]].
  
 
==U.S. Senate==
 
==U.S. Senate==
 +
McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984 when he defeated two-term [[Democratic]] Senator [[Walter Huddleston]]. Since then he has been re-elected six times. After the 2006 elections, he was unanimously elected Senate Minority Leader, previously serving as Majority Whip. He is married to former Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]], who is from a wealthy family profiting off foreign trade. McConnell has been very involved in Republican party politics. He was chairman of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles. In both, Republicans maintained control of the [[Senate]]. McConnell is viewed as a [[conservative]] on nearly all issues, receiving an 89% lifetime rating from the [[American Conservative Union]].<ref>http://www.acuratings.org/2008all.htm#KY</ref> However, he was one of just three Senate Republicans who voted against a Constitutional ban on [[Flag Desecration Amendment|flag desecration]].<ref>https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00189</ref>
  
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McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984 when he defeated two-term [[Democratic]] Senator Dee Huddleston. Since then he has been reelected four times. After the 2006 elections, he was unanimously elected Senate Minority Leader, previously serving as Majority Whip. He is married to former Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]]. McConnell has been very involved in Republican party politics. He was chairman of the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles. In both, Republicans maintained control of the [[Senate]]. McConnell is viewed as a [[conservative]] on nearly all issues, receiving an 89% lifetime rating from the [[American Conservative Union]].<ref>http://www.acuratings.org/2008all.htm#KY</ref> However, he was one of just three Senate Republicans who voted against a Constitutional ban on [[Flag Desecration Amendment|flag desecration]].<ref>http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00189</ref>
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====Oil drilling====
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McConnell offered offshore [[oil]] drilling resolutions on the Senate floor in July 2008. He was intent on setting a trigger to initiate drilling if the price exceeds a certain mark. First, he offered to drill if gasoline prices hit $4.50 a gallon. This was rejected by Democrats. Then he offered a trigger at $5.50 a gallon, $7.50 a gallon and $10 per gallon, with Democrats rejecting each offer.<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27826 Breaking: Dems like $10 per Gallon Gasoline] Human Events, July 31, 2008</ref>
  
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McConnell offered offshore [[oil]] drilling resolutions on the Senate floor in July 2008. He was intent on setting a trigger to initiate drilling if the price exceeds a certain mark. First he offered to drill if gasoline prices hit $4.50 a gallon. This was rejected by Democrats. Then he offered a trigger at $5.50 a gallon, $7.50 a gallon and $10 per gallon, with Democrats rejecting each offer.<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27826 Breaking: Dems like $10 per Gallon Gasoline] Human Events, July 31, 2008</ref>
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===Obama era===
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Mitch McConnell managed to hold onto his Senate seat in the 2008 elections, which saw a Democratic surge, just short of a supermajority. Mitch McConnell was widely regarded within the Republican Party as an adept Minority Leader. The filibuster strategy used by the Democrats was first pushed by McConnell. To his credit, McConnell kept [[Merrick Garland]], later known as the "American [[Vyshinsky]]",<ref>[https://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=33440563 Merrick Garland: American Vyshinsky], by John Seiler, August 13, 2021. siliconinvestor.com</ref> off the Supreme Court.
  
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Mitch McConnell managed to hold onto his senate seat in the 2008 elections, which saw a Democratic surge, just short of a supermajority. Mitch McConnell is widely regarded within the Republican Party as an adept Minority Leader. The filibuster strategy used by the Democrats was first pushed by McConnell.
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====Gun control filibuster====
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McConnell said he would join the [[gun control]] filibuster against Democrat anti-[[second amendment]] bills.<ref>https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/09/mitch-mcconnell-yeah-im-joining-this-gun-control-filibuster-n1562143</ref>
  
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McConnell said he would join the [[gun control]] filibuster.<ref>http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/09/mitch-mcconnell-yeah-im-joining-this-gun-control-filibuster-n1562143</ref>
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====2014 Senate election====
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In 2014, McConnell faced [[Tea Party]] challenger [[Matt Bevin]] in his primary for re-election, and held on only by heavily outspending his [[conservative]] rival.  McConnell then defeated Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the heavily Republican Kentucky in the general election.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2014/kentucky-elections Kentucky Election Results]</ref>
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McConnell became the [[Senate Majority Leader]] in 2015 after the GOP retook the Senate. Since being elected, McConnell and others in the Republican establishment have not sought to keep their promises.
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===Trump era===
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====Blocking Graham-Cassidy bill====
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The Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill, a measure to repeal [[ObamaCare]] that was [[pro-life]] enough to elicit [[liberal media]] opposition,<ref>Two references:
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*[https://www.bustle.com/p/would-graham-cassidy-defund-planned-parenthood-it-decimates-womens-health-care-access-2419003 Would Graham-Cassidy Defund Planned Parenthood? It Decimates Women's Health Care Access]
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*[https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/19/16328928/obamacare-repeal-cassidy-graham-health-care-women The new Obamacare repeal bill is the worst yet for women’s health]</ref> was expected to be up for a Senate vote until McConnell announced on September 26, 2017 that there would be no vote.<ref>Two references:
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*[https://www.businessinsider.com/mcconnell-graham-cassidy-healthcare-vote-obamacare-repeal-2017-9?op=1 IT'S OVER: Republicans will not vote on Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill, will move on from Obamacare repeal for now]
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*[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/christinerousselle/2017/09/26/grahamcassidy-is-dead-n2386858 The Graham-Cassidy Bill is Dead; Senate Will Not Vote]</ref>
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====2018 Omnibus====
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In 2018, McConnell has worked overtime in making sure to garner enough support within his party line to pass a fiscally reckless $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/22/rand-paul-senate-omnibus-480553 McConnell secures budget deal with ‘begging, pleading and cajoling’]</ref> While the legislation would raise wages for armed forces members and allocate money to help fight the [[opioid]] crisis, negotiation with [[open border]]-supporting [[Democrats]] on the bill only provided 641 million dollars for the [[border wall]] rather than $25 billion that [[Donald Trump]] had sought to fund border security.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/03/21/paul-ryan-and-mitch-mcconnell-work-to-sell-omnibus-spending-to-donald-trump-at-the-white-house/ Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell Work to Sell Omnibus Spending to Donald Trump at the White House]</ref>
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====Amy Coney Barrett====
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After successfully helping to confirm [[Amy Coney Barrett]] to the [[United States Supreme Court]] to fill the vacancy left upon the death of [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]], McConnell joked: "It was a wonderful birthday present for Hillary Clinton to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court Monday night on her birthday. Oh, I’m sure she was so grateful."<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/cocaine-mitch-wonderful-birthday-present-hillary-clinton-confirm-amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court-monday-video/ Cocaine Mitch: “It Was a Wonderful Birthday Present For Hillary Clinton to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Monday” (VIDEO)]</ref>
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==Broken promises==
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[[File:McConnell Yermak Zelensky Schumer.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Internet meme: (left to right) McConnell, [[Yermak]], Ukrainian dictator [[Volodymyr Zelensky]], Cuck Schumer.]]
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McConnell, like many Republicans, has promised that if a Senate majority could be reached, they would work toward passing an actual budget instead of stop-gap spending measures.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/206309-gop-well-pass-budget-every-year- Senate GOP: We’ll pass a budget every year]</ref>
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While McConnell had promised to make the Senate less dysfunctional, it had only gotten worse by 2018.<ref>Wallner, James (March 29, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/mitch-mcconnell-promised-to-fix-the-broken-senate-instead-its-only-gotten-worse Mitch McConnell promised to fix the broken Senate. Instead, it's only gotten worse.] ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved March 29, 2018.</ref>
  
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In 2014, McConnell faced [[Tea Party]] challenger [[Matt Bevin]] in his primary for reelection, and held on only by heavily outspending his [[conservative]] rival.  McConnell then defeated Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the heavily Republican Kentucky in the general election.
 
 
==Controversies==
 
==Controversies==
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In 2013, it was reported that McConnell said that he wanted to "punch [[Tea Party]] bullies in the nose".<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2013/11/22/exclusive-mcconnell-tea-party-a-bunch-of-bullies-who-me-and-karl-rove-are-going-to-punch-in-the-nose/ Exclusive - McConnell: Tea Party 'Bullies' Who Need Punch in Nose], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref>  A further examination by [[The Blaze]] indicated the plausibility that McConnell was probably talking about the [[Senate Conservatives Fund]], which is known for supporting more conservative candidates over [[Establishment]]-preferred candidates.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/22/rumor-check-did-mitch-mcconnell-say-he-wants-to-punch-tea-party-bullies-in-the-nose/ Rumor Check: Did Mitch McConnell Say He Wants to Punch Tea Party ‘Bullies’ in the Nose?] '''(Note: link is broken)</ref>
  
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In 2013, it was reported that McConnell said that he wanted to "punch [[Tea Party]] bullies in the nose".<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2013/11/22/exclusive-mcconnell-tea-party-a-bunch-of-bullies-who-me-and-karl-rove-are-going-to-punch-in-the-nose/ Exclusive - McConnell: Tea Party 'Bullies' Who Need Punch in Nose], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref>  A further examination by [[The Blaze]] indicated the plausibility that McConnell was probably talking about the [[Senate Conservatives Fund]], which is known for supporting more conservative candidates over Establishment-preferred candidates.<ref>[http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/22/rumor-check-did-mitch-mcconnell-say-he-wants-to-punch-tea-party-bullies-in-the-nose/ Rumor Check: Did Mitch McConnell Say He Wants to Punch Tea Party ‘Bullies’ in the Nose?]</ref>
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It was leaked in mid-April 2020 that McConnell secretly had a strong disdain for [[Donald Trump]] behind the his back despite a public appearance of cooperation and concurrence.<ref>Two references:
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*[https://bipartisanreport.com/2020/04/13/mcconnells-private-bashing-of-nuts-trump-leaked-to-the-new-yorker/ McConnell’s Private Bashing Of ‘Nuts’ Trump Leaked To ‘The New Yorker’]
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*[https://www.rawstory.com/2020/04/mitch-mcconnell-calls-trump-nuts-and-cant-stand-that-hes-like-sexual-predator-roy-moore-report/ Mitch McConnell calls Trump ‘nuts’ — and ‘can’t stand’ that he’s like sexual predator Roy Moore: report]</ref>
  
 
==Personal life==
 
==Personal life==
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McConnell is married to [[Elaine Chao]], the current United States Secretary of Transportation. He is a [[Baptist]] and was married to Sherrill Redmon from 1968–1993.
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McConnell is married to [[Elaine Chao]], the current [[United States Secretary of Transportation]]. He is a [[Southern Baptist]] but was married to Sherrill Redmon from 1968 to 1980 before divorcing.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/13/us/mitch-mcconnell-fast-facts/ Mitch McConnell Fast Facts]</ref>
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===Declining health===
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McConnell, now 81, has exhibited signs of cognitive decline, especially throughout 2023. This was first marked in early March 2023, when he had tripped and fell during a D.C. dinner event, resulting in him being hospitalized for five days followed by a month and a half absence from the Senate.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2023/03/13/1163232163/ Sen. Mitch McConnell's health issues spotlight Kentucky's succession process]</ref>
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On July 26, 2023, McConnell froze up mid-speech in Capitol Hill, unable to finish his statement, during a press conference and was promptly escorted away from the podium by his aides.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/news/mitch-mcconnell-freezes-during-briefing Mitch McConnell freezes mid-sentence during press conference and is escorted away from podium]</ref>
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Once more on August 30, 2023, only one month later, McConnell froze up for more than 30 seconds upon being asked if he would run for re-election in 2026 before he was led away by aides in Covington, Kentucky.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/news/mitch-mcconnell-second-freeze-up Alarming video shows Mitch McConnell, 81, freeze up a second time while speaking to reporters]</ref> In both incidents, McConnell claimed he felt "lightheaded".
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==Liberal opposition==
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:''See also: [[Moscow Mitch syndrome]] and [[Left-wing violence in the Trump era]]''
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McConnell has been subject to multiple liberal smears and attacks after the 2016 election. In one case, he was confronted by an unhinged liberal while dining with his wife.<ref>[https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-mitch-mcconnell-attacked-dining-wife/ Watch: Mitch McConnell Attacked While Dining with His Wife]</ref> In another instance, protestors outside his home called for violence against the senator.<ref>[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2019/08/06/protester-outside-mitch-mcconnells-home-says-stab-the-motherfcker-in-the-heart-n2551245 Protester Outside Mitch McConnell's Home Says 'Stab The Motherf*cker In The Heart']</ref> After blocking two partisan "election security" bills, he has been labeled as "Moscow Mitch" by communist-supporting [[Liberal hypocrisy|liberal hypocrites]].<ref>[https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/455570-kentucky-democrats-sell-moscow-mitch-gear-after-mcconnell Kentucky Democrats sell 'Moscow Mitch' gear after McConnell blocks election security bills]</ref>
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==Stepping down...==
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McConnell announced on Feb 28th 2024, he will step down in November (of that year) as Senate Republican leader.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-republican-leader-stepping-down-ba478d570a4561aa7baf91a204d7e366 McConnell will step down as the Senate Republican leader in November after a record run in the job], ''AP'', Feb 28, 2024</ref>
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==References==
 
==References==
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<references/>
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{{reflist|2}}
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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* [http://mcconnell.senate.gov Sen. McConnell's Official Web Site]
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*[http://mcconnell.senate.gov Sen. McConnell's Official Web Site]
  
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Latest revision as of 11:10, February 29, 2024

Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr.
McConnell.jpg
Senate Majority Leader
From: January 3, 2015 – January 20, 2021
Predecessor Harry Reid
Successor Chuck Schumer
Senate Minority Leader
From: January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2015
Predecessor Chuck Schumer
Successor Harry Reid
Senate Majority Whip
From: January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Predecessor Harry Reid
Successor Dick Durbin
Senior U.S. Senator from Kentucky
From: January 3, 1985 – present
Predecessor Walter Huddleston
Successor Incumbent (no successor)
Information
Party Republican
Spouse(s) (1) Sherrill Redmon McConnell (divorced 1980)

(2) Elaine Chao

Religion Southern Baptist

Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr., born February 20, 1942 (age 82), is the senior Republican United States Senator from Kentucky and the current Senate Minority Leader. Although his voting record has been rated as conservative by some,[1] McConnell is an establishment RINO Backer who has blocked pro-life legislation (see below), pushed for pro-abortion nominees to the courts, and who sometimes rams through liberal-favored deals to increase the debt ceiling.[2] McConnell is an enemy of free speech by Donald Trump and more than 74 million of his supporters. In 2020, Trump outran McConnell in his home state by more than 4% among voters. By November 2022, McConnell's unfavorable-favorable rating was 81%-7%.[3]

McConnell's protege Justin Reed Walker, who was appointed to the D.C. Circuit despite relatively little experience or achievement, provided the swing vote for the 2-1 decision upholding sweeping indictments against the J6 rally attendees in United States v. Fischer (D.C. Cir. Apr. 7, 2023).

In August 2023, McConnell was heckled at a farm fair in Kentucky, his home state, and Trump tweeted on his social platform his agreement with the hecklers.[4] In the 2026 GOP Senate primaries, McConnell is expected to retire rather than face defeat in his own primary by one of several popular conservative populist Kentucky politicians who could challenge him.

On November 16, 2022, a remarkable total of 10 Republican senators voted against reelecting McConnell as their leader, and he prevailed by a vote of only 37-10 when usually those votes are unanimous.[5] This substantial number of senators who disapprove of McConnell indicates he has become merely a lame duck. The next day McConnell gushed in praise of Leftist Nancy Pelosi as she ended her reign of tyranny in the House that included publicly ripping up Trump's state-of-the-union address one year, by McConnell praising “her historic tenure” and her “consequential and path-breaking career.”[6]

A globalist clueless about the views of ordinary Americans, McConnell rushed to congratulate Joe Biden on his stolen election result in December 2020. He also attempted to silence all Republican senators from objecting to the purported Biden victory, despite a 36-page report of pervasive election fraud that was "more than sufficient" to steal it from Trump.[7] McConnell falsely accused President Trump of inciting protesters to do harm, refused to attend Trump's ceremonial departure on January 20th, and encouraged a baseless, unconstitutional impeachment and removal trial of Trump. Playing both sides, McConnell voted to acquit Trump but then ranted against him. Perhaps paranoid and/or delusional, McConnell thought the inauguration of Biden might be disrupted by retired military leaders.[8]

McConnell's second wife is Elaine Chao, married since 1993. Chao is from a wealthy Taiwan family that profits from international trade, and her sister Angela is the second wife of billionaire Jim Breyer, who invests heavily in Communist China and has been photographed smiling with its Chairman Xi Jinping. Chao served in Trump's Cabinet but stepped down a few weeks before the expiration of the term. Like her husband, the ungrateful Chao lambasted Trump at the end of her service.

In light of the impeachment coup against President Trump, McConnell called the House vote "unprecedented" and said that the Senate will "provide stability."[9] McConnell failed to call any witnesses at the impeachment trial, such as scandal-ridden Hunter Biden whose testimony could have ended Joe Biden's presidential bid, and McConnell rushed through a vote of acquittal of Trump which proved to be merely a pyrrhic victory.

McConnell was arguably the least effective Majority Leader ever during the 115th U.S. Congress (2017-2019), accomplishing remarkably little in the two years of Republican control of both the White House and Congress under President Donald Trump. While credited with confirming some appellate judges, not all of whom are conservative, McConnell has made less progress in confirming Trump's nominees to district court judgeships. He did, however, confirm Trump-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett in near-record time before the 2020 presidential election to fill the seat vacated by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In 2018 and again in 2020, McConnell worked overtime to try to keep his critic Roy Moore from being elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama, preferring instead that the deeply Republican state elect a Democrat or a pro-Deep State Republican.

Early life

McConnell was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to Julia Shockley and Addison Mitchell McConnell, Sr., and reared in south Louisville, Kentucky, he attended DuPont Manual High School and graduated from the University of Louisville College of Arts and Sciences with honors in 1964, where he was student body president and member of Phi Kappa Tau. He graduated in 1967 from the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was elected president of the Student Bar Association. McConnell gained experience on Capitol Hill as an intern under RINO Senator John Sherman Cooper, later as an assistant to Senator Marlow Cook, and was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under President Gerald R. Ford.

U.S. Senate

McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984 when he defeated two-term Democratic Senator Walter Huddleston. Since then he has been re-elected six times. After the 2006 elections, he was unanimously elected Senate Minority Leader, previously serving as Majority Whip. He is married to former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, who is from a wealthy family profiting off foreign trade. McConnell has been very involved in Republican party politics. He was chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles. In both, Republicans maintained control of the Senate. McConnell is viewed as a conservative on nearly all issues, receiving an 89% lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union.[10] However, he was one of just three Senate Republicans who voted against a Constitutional ban on flag desecration.[11]

Oil drilling

McConnell offered offshore oil drilling resolutions on the Senate floor in July 2008. He was intent on setting a trigger to initiate drilling if the price exceeds a certain mark. First, he offered to drill if gasoline prices hit $4.50 a gallon. This was rejected by Democrats. Then he offered a trigger at $5.50 a gallon, $7.50 a gallon and $10 per gallon, with Democrats rejecting each offer.[12]

Obama era

Mitch McConnell managed to hold onto his Senate seat in the 2008 elections, which saw a Democratic surge, just short of a supermajority. Mitch McConnell was widely regarded within the Republican Party as an adept Minority Leader. The filibuster strategy used by the Democrats was first pushed by McConnell. To his credit, McConnell kept Merrick Garland, later known as the "American Vyshinsky",[13] off the Supreme Court.

Gun control filibuster

McConnell said he would join the gun control filibuster against Democrat anti-second amendment bills.[14]

2014 Senate election

In 2014, McConnell faced Tea Party challenger Matt Bevin in his primary for re-election, and held on only by heavily outspending his conservative rival. McConnell then defeated Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the heavily Republican Kentucky in the general election.[15]

McConnell became the Senate Majority Leader in 2015 after the GOP retook the Senate. Since being elected, McConnell and others in the Republican establishment have not sought to keep their promises.

Trump era

Blocking Graham-Cassidy bill

The Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill, a measure to repeal ObamaCare that was pro-life enough to elicit liberal media opposition,[16] was expected to be up for a Senate vote until McConnell announced on September 26, 2017 that there would be no vote.[17]

2018 Omnibus

In 2018, McConnell has worked overtime in making sure to garner enough support within his party line to pass a fiscally reckless $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill.[18] While the legislation would raise wages for armed forces members and allocate money to help fight the opioid crisis, negotiation with open border-supporting Democrats on the bill only provided 641 million dollars for the border wall rather than $25 billion that Donald Trump had sought to fund border security.[19]

Amy Coney Barrett

After successfully helping to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left upon the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, McConnell joked: "It was a wonderful birthday present for Hillary Clinton to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court Monday night on her birthday. Oh, I’m sure she was so grateful."[20]

Broken promises

Internet meme: (left to right) McConnell, Yermak, Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky, Cuck Schumer.

McConnell, like many Republicans, has promised that if a Senate majority could be reached, they would work toward passing an actual budget instead of stop-gap spending measures.[21]

While McConnell had promised to make the Senate less dysfunctional, it had only gotten worse by 2018.[22]

Controversies

In 2013, it was reported that McConnell said that he wanted to "punch Tea Party bullies in the nose".[23] A further examination by The Blaze indicated the plausibility that McConnell was probably talking about the Senate Conservatives Fund, which is known for supporting more conservative candidates over Establishment-preferred candidates.[24]

It was leaked in mid-April 2020 that McConnell secretly had a strong disdain for Donald Trump behind the his back despite a public appearance of cooperation and concurrence.[25]

Personal life

McConnell is married to Elaine Chao, the current United States Secretary of Transportation. He is a Southern Baptist but was married to Sherrill Redmon from 1968 to 1980 before divorcing.[26]

Declining health

McConnell, now 81, has exhibited signs of cognitive decline, especially throughout 2023. This was first marked in early March 2023, when he had tripped and fell during a D.C. dinner event, resulting in him being hospitalized for five days followed by a month and a half absence from the Senate.[27]

On July 26, 2023, McConnell froze up mid-speech in Capitol Hill, unable to finish his statement, during a press conference and was promptly escorted away from the podium by his aides.[28]

Once more on August 30, 2023, only one month later, McConnell froze up for more than 30 seconds upon being asked if he would run for re-election in 2026 before he was led away by aides in Covington, Kentucky.[29] In both incidents, McConnell claimed he felt "lightheaded".

Liberal opposition

See also: Moscow Mitch syndrome and Left-wing violence in the Trump era

McConnell has been subject to multiple liberal smears and attacks after the 2016 election. In one case, he was confronted by an unhinged liberal while dining with his wife.[30] In another instance, protestors outside his home called for violence against the senator.[31] After blocking two partisan "election security" bills, he has been labeled as "Moscow Mitch" by communist-supporting liberal hypocrites.[32]

Stepping down...

McConnell announced on Feb 28th 2024, he will step down in November (of that year) as Senate Republican leader.[33]

References

  1. ↑ Mitch McConnell on the Issues
  2. ↑ Mitch McConnell Vows to Raise U.S. Debt Ceiling
  3. ↑ https://www.libertynation.com/mcconnell-gop-establishment-must-control-primary-outcome/
  4. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-heckled-calls-retire-speech-kentucky-rcna98495
  5. ↑ https://www.ksl.com/article/50519296/mitch-mcconnell-reelected-senate-gop-leader-rick-scotts-bid-rejected
  6. ↑ https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3741221-mcconnell-congratulates-pelosi-on-historic-tenure-and-path-breaking-career/
  7. ↑ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/peter-navarro-releases-36-page-report-alleging-election-fraud-more-than-sufficient-to-swing-victory-to-trump/ar-BB1c0YR8
  8. ↑ https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/24/mcconnell-team-raised-worries-about-attack-on-biden-inauguration-ex-nsa-obrien-told-jan-6-committee-00075581
  9. ↑ McConnell on Trump impeachment: "The Senate exists for moments like this"
  10. ↑ http://www.acuratings.org/2008all.htm#KY
  11. ↑ https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00189
  12. ↑ Breaking: Dems like $10 per Gallon Gasoline Human Events, July 31, 2008
  13. ↑ Merrick Garland: American Vyshinsky, by John Seiler, August 13, 2021. siliconinvestor.com
  14. ↑ https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/09/mitch-mcconnell-yeah-im-joining-this-gun-control-filibuster-n1562143
  15. ↑ Kentucky Election Results
  16. ↑ Two references:
  17. ↑ Two references:
  18. ↑ McConnell secures budget deal with ‘begging, pleading and cajoling’
  19. ↑ Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell Work to Sell Omnibus Spending to Donald Trump at the White House
  20. ↑ Cocaine Mitch: “It Was a Wonderful Birthday Present For Hillary Clinton to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Monday” (VIDEO)
  21. ↑ Senate GOP: We’ll pass a budget every year
  22. ↑ Wallner, James (March 29, 2018). Mitch McConnell promised to fix the broken Senate. Instead, it's only gotten worse. Washington Examiner. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  23. ↑ Exclusive - McConnell: Tea Party 'Bullies' Who Need Punch in Nose, Breitbart.com
  24. ↑ Rumor Check: Did Mitch McConnell Say He Wants to Punch Tea Party ‘Bullies’ in the Nose? (Note: link is broken)
  25. ↑ Two references:
  26. ↑ Mitch McConnell Fast Facts
  27. ↑ Sen. Mitch McConnell's health issues spotlight Kentucky's succession process
  28. ↑ Mitch McConnell freezes mid-sentence during press conference and is escorted away from podium
  29. ↑ Alarming video shows Mitch McConnell, 81, freeze up a second time while speaking to reporters
  30. ↑ Watch: Mitch McConnell Attacked While Dining with His Wife
  31. ↑ Protester Outside Mitch McConnell's Home Says 'Stab The Motherf*cker In The Heart'
  32. ↑ Kentucky Democrats sell 'Moscow Mitch' gear after McConnell blocks election security bills
  33. ↑ McConnell will step down as the Senate Republican leader in November after a record run in the job, AP, Feb 28, 2024

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