At Pomp's Center Stands Powerful GOP Senator {Mitch McConnell}

Lexington, KY, Herald-Leader ^ | 12-10-03 | Ryan Alessi

[Theodore R.]

At pomp's center stands powerful GOP senator By Ryan Alessi HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU

Associated Press

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher and his wife Glenna dance the first dance under a spotlight during the Grand March as part of his inauguration festivities, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.

FRANKFORT - "Congratulations," some said. Others offered, "Nice job," or "It's great, isn't it?" Many simply said, "Thank you."

Although this was Gov. Ernie Fletcher's day, it was U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell -- like a proud papa -- quietly fielding such praise yesterday, as well as hugs and handshakes, from Republican faithful who could barely contain their glee.

McConnell, 61, helped recruit Fletcher to the race, gave strategic advice to his campaign and is likely to continue mentoring the former Lexington congressman.

More important, many Republican leaders say, no one personifies the GOP's ascension from a disgruntled, disorganized minority party to the party in power more than McConnell.

Over the past decade, he has methodically groomed credible and successful candidates for every office from the state House to U.S. House.

After a while, McConnell proudly noted, many Kentuckians got used to voting Republican.

"He will be remembered far longer for building the party than any individual act," said Larry Forgy, who came up 20,000 votes shy of becoming governor in 1995. "It's a big day for the Republican Party, and it's a big day for him."

During the inaugural parade yesterday morning, as McConnell's horse-drawn carriage passed by the state GOP headquarters which bears his name, Republicans in the risers stood and cheered.

As the carriage pulled up to the receiving area, he and Fletcher exchanged thumbs-up.

"It's a great day. I've seen an awful lot of people I've known and worked with through the years," McConnell said after the parade. "It's been a long dry spell for them."

Thirty-two years, to be exact.

'Stay on the offensive'

McConnell first noticed Fletcher when he was running in the 1996 congressional campaign. Fletcher lost the 6th District race that year, but won in 1998.

Early in 2002, McConnell pulled Fletcher into his private office in the U.S. Capitol and urged him to run for governor.

McConnell says he has been little more than adviser since. Fletcher, however, calls the powerful Louisville senator a mentor and strategist, especially when it comes to campaigning.

"One of the things he's always taught me is to stay on the offensive," Fletcher said.

For instance, even with Fletcher's leading Democrat Ben Chandler in the polls for much of this fall's race, Fletcher launched an aggressive television ad that likened Chandler to a yappy dog. He followed with several more.

McConnell had entrenched himself in political lore in 1984 with his own dog ad, which showed bloodhounds searching the U.S. Capitol for his opponent, Sen. Walter Dee Huddleston.

The spot, which highlighted Huddleston's erratic voting record, has become the standard for McConnell's pupils.

"Going back to the hound dogs, he has a tremendous understanding of how you deliver an effective message to the people," Fletcher said.

'Hey, I think this guy can win'

McConnell traces the rise of the modern Republican Party to a Louisville Bob Evans restaurant on a cold Saturday in early 1994.

There, he met 2nd Congressional District candidate Ron Lewis for the first time.

"After talking with him I got this feeling that, 'Hey, I think this guy can win,'" McConnell said.

He said that was the moment he knew he had enough political clout to help other Republicans win.

McConnell advised Lewis to link his opponent to then-President Bill Clinton, unpopular in many parts of Kentucky. Lewis won, and races began falling like dominoes for Republicans.

Over the next eight years, the GOP took all but one of the state's six U.S. House seats, came close in the 1995 governor's race which Paul Patton won, and took over the state Senate.

In many of those campaigns, particularly the close ones, McConnell was busy on conference calls, in strategy sessions and plotting ways to win.

'He should have left it alone'

Not every Republican is a fan of McConnell's party-building tactics.

David Adams, Jessamine County Republican Party chairman, said he respects and credits McConnell's contributions, but he says the senior senator sometimes can take the kingmaking too far.

Currently, with five candidates jockeying for the party's nomination to replace Fletcher in Congress, McConnell has thrown his weight behind state Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr.

"He should have left it alone," said Adams, one of the 36 delegates who will vote on the nominee Saturday.

McConnell said he just tries to advance "as many people of like minds as possible." That's easier now that Kentucky has become a two-party state, he added.

"When I grew up, this was really a one-party state. While nothing is forever, I do think it's safe to say that Kentucky will not be a one-party state again," he said.

At least not a Democratic one.

In his next breath, McConnell said, "There are still a few targets left" -- such as attorney general, auditor, treasurer and the state House, which is held by the Democrats, 64-36.

"I'm reluctant to call this a Republican state yet, but we are truly in the ascendency now," he said. "It's our turn after all these years."

Reach Ryan Alessi at (859) 231-1303 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 1303, or ralessi@herald-leader.com.

[John O]

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