McConnell’s first big challenge: Keeping a lid on Ted Cruz

Yahoo News ^ | Meredith Shiner and Jon Ward

[SoConPubbie]

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, waves to the crowd at a Republican victory party on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, in Austin, …

WASHINGTON — Within minutes of polls closing in Kentucky, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was declared the victor of a race some doubted he could win and many more hoped he would lose.

Like most recent congressional leaders, McConnell — who in 2009 declared that his party’s No. 1 goal would be to defeat President Barack Obama — had become a powerful symbol of his party and a major target for Democrats. His win in Kentucky Tuesday night was the first step toward realizing his career-long dream of becoming Senate majority leader. Outlining his potential approach toward leading the Senate, McConnell delivered what rang at first blush as a wildly optimistic view.

“Just because we have a two-party system, doesn’t mean we have to be in perpetual conflict,” McConnell said in a lengthy victory speech in Louisville hours after polls closed.

A divided, partisan Washington, however, is only part of the problem for Congress. The more pressing problem for a potential Majority Leader McConnell than the gulf between the parties is the divisions within his own. It’s a reality that House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio has grappled with for four years, with mixed success.

For McConnell and Senate Republicans, governing in the majority could prove to be more difficult than winning it was.

The first test of McConnell’s ability to manage intraparty divisions could come as soon as lawmakers return to Washington later this month for a lame-duck session. Congress will have to fund the government (again) to stave off a shutdown, approve a sweeping Department of Defense authorization bill, potentially approve an Iran sanctions measure, and also could clear Eric Holder’s replacement as U.S. attorney general.

[867V309]

Earth to McConnell: Cruz is smarter than you. He's braver than you. He's more honest than you. He's a leader, you're not. You represent a bunch of fakes and liars, he's real and up-front.

In the dead of night, I'd hate to look in the mirror and know that I was you.

[lquist1]

“Ted Cruz will be the next president, God willing. And he will reclaim America for Jesus.”

Amen to that!! Cruz is at the top of my list which only consists of him, Dr. Ben Carson and possibly Gov. Walker. I don’t trust anyone else and I don’t think anyone else would do squat to reverse the disastrous course this nation is on.

The only thing I wonder about Cruz is — how big a deal do you think the born in Canada thing will be? At this point, I’m unclear if that is a disqualifier for running for POTUS. I hope it’s not, but I suspect even the RINOs on our own side will challenge his eligibility to run if they see that as their only hope to stop him.

[VRWC For Truth]

Yertlle the turd-le is a pathetic Soetoro enabler. He’s the problem.

[60Gunner]

Our new senate must refuse to elevate McConnell to Majority Leader. That would send a clear message to both the GOPe and the constituents who won Congress for them that this will not be business as usual.

McConnell may have won a seat, but it needs to be a seat off in a dark corner somewhere so he can't break anything.

[Bigg Red]

Cruz will do what he thinks is right regardless of what McConnell or anyone else thinks.

***
I sure hope so.

Please, please, Cruz, be the real deal. So many of us are placing our hope in you.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

Was hoping McConnell would loose for this very reason. Next time the repub party calls me, I’m telling them no more $$$ until McConnell and Boehner are moved out of the way.

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Anyone who claims to be surprised is a liar, an idiot or a lying idiot.

Does McConnell find liberal butt that delicious?

[AllAmericanGirl44]

Really, little ankle biting gnats.

I am bracing myself for the media descending even further
down the blackness they embody.

[onyx]

I agree with you.

[caww]

I hear you very well!....I have little confidence that McConnell will do anything more than he hasn’t in the past regarding stopping Obama or getting things done the people want. ...and of course Boehner is of the like. Both cater to the Rep. Rino’s and don’t dare upset the norm.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

If McConnell has any brains at all, he’ll cooperate with Cruz . . . because Cruz’s methods clearly bear fruit, and also because Cruz just might be Prez at some point. I hope McConnell doesn’t let pride get in the way of his thought process.

[Yosemitest]

If the GOP doesn't vote Mitch McConnell and BONEHEAD out of leadership, we're screwed.
Those "ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS" don't have the guts to stand up to the ILLEGAL ALIEN IN CHIEF, and the Kenyan TURD knows it!

[Patton@Bastogne]

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[GodAndCountryFirst]

If we can have a president who was clearly born in Kenya, we can have a president who was born in Canada.

[MarMema]

Dang you beat me to it.