Posted on 03/27/2015 3:43:20 PM PDT by cotton1706
From Tea Party agitator to leadership insider, Sen. Mike Lee is now counselor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The Utah Republican is steering committee chairman, a post that often comes with a seat in leadership. But McConnell wasn’t obligated to bring Lee into the fold last week, when he appointed him as one of four counsellors to the Republican leadership. The Kentuckian never extended a similar offer to Jim DeMint when he led steering. Lee and McConnell hardly have a chummy history, although the majority leader shrewdly keeps potential enemies close.
Lee advanced to the Senate in 2010 by ousting then-Sen. Bob Bennett in Utah’s GOP primary. Bennett was a McConnell confidant who at the time was serving in leadership as an appointed advisor to the leader — the same advisory post that Lee now holds. The Tea Party favorite later defied McConnell when he joined forces with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and conservative groups in a bid to leverage a partial government shutdown to derail Obamacare.
It’s not unusual for McConnell to work with former foes. He forged a relationship with Sen. Rand Paul immediately after the libertarian-leaning Republican beat his handpicked choice to succeed Sen. Jim Bunning in Kentucky’s 2010 GOP primary. But Lee’s decision to join McConnell’s cabinet marks a departure from his carefully constructed outsider image. Lee’s supporters downplay the move, saying it puts the senator in a position to accomplish his primary goal of advancing conservative reforms.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
Despite McConnell's experience, he can't match Schumer's planning tactics. Schumer is a master chess player. McConnell plays Tiddly-Winks.
And let's not even mention Cornyn. Despite being a Texas Supreme Court justice, he can't match Schumer either.
Only Cruz and Lee have shown the intellect and mettle to battle Schumer. Newcomer Cotton may be a third.
Lee needs allies to beat off the Hatchling’s potential attack on Lee’s upcoming re-election.
Inviting Mike Lee onto the team is McConnell’s olive branch to Ted Cruz and the Tea Party. Hopefully, this is not for display purposes only. If this becomes a token position, I think Mike Lee would simply leave or ask to be released from this flimsy charade.
“Lee needs allies to beat off the Hatchling’s potential attack on Lee’s upcoming re-election.”
Actually that’s over. They tried to recruit John Huntsman, but he declined, and then endorsed Lee. Lee has clear sailing at this point.
Well, there is some good news. Hatch is never to be trusted so it aint over till its over.....
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