Posted on 01/22/2015 9:44:38 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
For now, senators say its not a problem that one of the most powerful Republicans in D.C. already has a likely presidential candidate. I work with Sen. McConnell on stuff, I make sure he knows what Im doing to try and get it across the finish line, Paul said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made no secret that hell support his fellow Kentuckian, Sen. Rand Paul, should Paul run for president in 2016.
And Paul has also made no secret that he very, very likely will do just that.
But theres a lot of time between now and the election, and at least two other Republican senators (Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio) who seem to hold the same ambition. The open question: What happens when one of the most powerful lawmakers in D.C. is already committed to a candidate and one with very distinct policy ideas?
Paul and other Republican senators dismissed the idea it would be a problem, and though a source close to McConnell dismissed the issue as well, the source acknowledged the majority leader is aware of the potential for conflict.
When asked directly by BuzzFeed News in New Hampshire last week if he felt thered be any tension with Republicans on Capitol Hill over McConnells support, Paul bluntly replied, No.
That doesnt mean that his relationship with McConnell wont have its benefits. Paul has a direct line of access to McConnell and he said he speaks with him regularly about his legislative priorities.
There are a lot of things Im working on that Im interested in getting done. Probably the things in the first few months that Id like to get passed is something on [tax] repatriation. Im working with [California Democrat] Sen. Boxer on it, Ive talked to Sen. McConnell about it, Paul said. I work with Sen. McConnell on stuff, I make sure he knows what Im doing to try and get it across the finish line.
The relationship, at times uneasy, has benefited both. Paul endorsed McConnell early on in his 2014 re-election race, and helped him during a contentious Tea Party primary challenge. What each gets out of the exchange is clear: the powerful McConnell is a good ally to have for Paul, and the popular Paul delivered key support for McConnell in their home state.
Paul and McConnells Senate colleagues wont say theyre worried, though, that the majority leader would potentially show preferential treatment to Paul.
Mitch is not going to take his support for Rand and do anything thats not in the best interest of the conference. No one worries about that, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, himself weighing a bid for president. I admire Mitch for supporting his colleague, its the right thing to do but in terms of how we run the senate or what bills come up I dont think presidential politics is going to matter to Mitch.
Sen. Jeff Sessions told BuzzFeed News that McConnells support for Paul would be a positive for Rand, although he doubted many other Senators would rush to join him in that endorsement.
[McConnell] will have to be balanced. I dont think he could give one person in the Senate an advantage simply because they are running for president, Sessions said. But Rands able to advocate his own legislation pretty good.
Ron Bonjean, a Republican strategist, said the relationship is unlikely to cause problems for now. The challenge could come during the Republican primary debates where the stakes are high and McConnell throws his weight behind legislation Paul has at a critical juncture, he said.
Like McConnell, Harry Reids Senate conference in 2008 was crowded with would-be nominees, including President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Sen. Chris Dodd.
Unlike McConnell, however, Reid hadnt just come off a reelection race in which he leaned heavily on one of the contenders. That allowed Reid to stay out of the primary process altogether. In fact, despite rumors at the time that the Nevada Democrat preferred Obama over his other colleagues a rumor his office vigorously and repeatedly denied Reid did not use his considerable power in the chamber to Obamas benefit. Former aides to Reid said they were under strict instruction to not show any favoritism when putting together press conferences or caucus events.
Sources close to McConnell also say that hes aware of the potential for conflict, and is deeply serious about not playing 2016 favorites.
McConnells central premise for returning the Senate to regular order is to stop the practice of using the floor as a campaign studio, said one source with knowledge of McConnells thinking. The same principle applies to his own conference as it does to Democrats.
I imagine McConnell speaks frequently with Sen. Paul about issues pertaining to Kentucky and the nation, the source continued, but the entire GOP conference knows that hes deadly serious about not allowing campaign politics, presidential or otherwise, shape the business they do in the Senate.
McConnell has also been clear that there are areas where he and Paul disagree. But by McConnells own admission, the two have a close relationship these days.
We didnt start out that way, but we ended up being big allies. He was very helpful to me, McConnell said at a Politico event in December. And obviously Im going to support somebody from my own state. And everybody understands that.
Don Stewart, McConnells deputy chief of staff, reiterated in a statement that the two have a very close working relationship.
While they dont agree on every single issue, theyve been able to do a lot together to advance the interests of all Kentuckians, he said. That relationship will continue and Senator McConnell is proud to support his fellow Kentuckian in whatever path he chooses.
Sen. Jerry Moran, another ally of McConnells who led the Senate Republicans campaign arm last cycle, said that it was nothing new that senators with ambitions for higher office would seek out support from their home state colleagues.
I dont see anyway that it matters. Sen. McConnell is still going to be Sen. McConnell and his support for a fellow Kentuckian wouldnt intrude or interfere, he said. We always have lots of senators who express interest in running for president and other senators interested in supporting their colleagues.
You mean the Senate Majority Leader who is becoming more unpopular than even Boehner?
Hell will officially be open for skiing and ice skating.
McConnell, a RINO supports a small government Rand?
Turtle and Paul will have to strong-arm Kentucky to change their law about candidates not being printed on the same ballot twice. KY FReepers should keep an eye if somebody submits a bill to repeal it. I kinda doubt Paul would give up a Senate seat for a looooonnnggg shot at POTUS.
Do you have libertarians and small government conservatives mixed up? It happens to a lot of people.
To be fair, as crazy as many or most libertarians are, they usually share the same ideology as far as smaller government.
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