McConnell: Rand Paul can 'count on me' for 2016

CNN ^ | Nov 07, 2014 7:31 AM PST | Jeremy Diamond

[SoConPubbie]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Mitch McConnell just put one election behind him that is expected to sweep him into the position of Senate majority leader, but he already knows who he'd back in 2016 if he decides to run: fellow Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul.

"I don't think he's made a final decision on that. But he'll be able to count on me," McConnell said of Paul's presidential prospects in an interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader published Thursday.

McConnell, who called himself a "big supporter of Rand Paul" said the pair have "developed a very tight relationship."

"And I'm for him," McConnell said. "Whatever he decides to do."

That's despite the fact that other members of McConnell's new majority are considering presidential bids, including Sens. Ted Cruz, Rob Portman and Marco Rubio.

But McConnell and Paul have become close, with Paul campaigning with McConnell to stave off the Senate minority leader's Democratic challenge from Alison Lundergan Grimes.

[SoConPubbie]

"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[Paladin2]

Mitch needs to explain how well he could work with President Cruz too.

[onyx]

How sweet.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” The RINO And the Loon”

coming soon to a theater near you......

[Viennacon]

Actually surprised. I knew Paul had curried his favor by backing him, but an outright endorsement this early on is unexpected. Krispy and Jeb are NOT happy.

[Resolute Conservative]

Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t drink libertarian koolaid.

[Eva]

That is why Ted Cruz said that McConnell ca cot count his vote got leadership.

I noticed on Fox, on election night, that one of the commentators ( the guy with the long hair and horn rimmed glasses) didn’t like Cruz at all. He said that Cruz had made himself irrelevant with the government shut down. That was in answer to a question about Cruz not voting for McConnell.

[onyx]

Yep...LOL.

[Servant of the Cross]

maybe his good friend Mitch can make it into the in-process RandyPaul 2016 Circus banner ...

[marron]

Rand’s popularity came from the fact that he appeared to be a “tea party” guy. Now its plain that he isn’t, in fact, he supports GOPe’s poster child.

And he’s an open-borders guy.

So, he’s out. So who does that leave?

President Cruz.

[pepsi_junkie]

And thus the debt is paid.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

If’n Yertle the Turtle is fer `im, I’m agin `im. Sumthin stinks.

[onyx]

You’re right about that comment from that Cruz hater. I can’t recall his name. Cruz will NEVER be irrelevant! Stupid idiot.

[Olog-hai]

McConnell, who called himself a “big supporter of Rand Paul” said the pair have “developed a very tight relationship.” …

Did they set a date for the wedding yet?

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Rand’s popularity came from the fact that he appeared to be a “tea party” guy. Now its plain that he isn’t, in fact, he supports GOPe’s poster child.

And he’s an open-borders guy.”

Bingo.

[MarkRegal05]

Yup. Cruz.

Paul is too soft on social issues. I want someone willing and able to effectively articulate clear counterarguments to the abortionists and the homosexualists. GOP party leaders have largely abandoned this duty.

[Norm Lenhart]

Nah...Rand Paul is a severe conservative ;)

[Resettozero]

...but an outright endorsement this early on is unexpected. Krispy and Jeb are NOT happy.

Don't think it was as much an endorsement for Paul as it was a slam against Cruz. Look out; things are heatin' up!

[tanknetter]

I agree. Paul will do better than his dad did, but can’t win the nomination. I don’t think he should run, should try to preserve the KY GOP seat next cycle.

What he can, if he runs, do is pull primary votes away from Cruz. This is definitely a shot at Cruz.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

McConnell, who called himself a "big supporter of Rand Paul" said the pair have "developed a very tight relationship."

Paul can be safely taken off the list.

Cruz '16