Posted on 05/19/2009 3:20:13 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Bunning acknowledged Tuesday that during a meeting in December, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told him that "I was too old and I couldn't win" a re-election battle in 2010.
Bunning, 77, went on to call McConnell a "control freak." He also said he'll fare well in Kentucky without McConnell's endorsement in the Republican primary, since during the senior senator's tenure as a member of the GOP leadership the Republicans have lost several seats and could lose more in 2010.
"If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me that may be the best thing that could happen to me in Kentucky," he told reporters during a conference call Tuesday.
As he has in the past, McConnell skirted questions during a TV interview Sunday on whether he'll endorse Bunning. Bunning is widely considered the most vulnerable incumbent seeking re-election to the Senate in 2010.
"It's just not clear exactly who the players are going to be in Kentucky," McConnell told "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace.
Bunning said it would be kind to call his relationship with McConnell strained.
"I said no to him and he doesn't like people who say no to him," Bunning said.
For months, Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher, has publicly sparred with party leaders, including McConnell and National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman John Cornyn of Texas over his re-election bid.
(Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...
It seems to me that the right are trying aweful hard to get Bunning who as far as I can tell has been a reliable conservative. Why do they want him out?
McConnel and Cornyn were 110% behind Specter, even though he was in trouble in the primary, until he switched parties. (Did they ever officially take back their endorsements?) Is this an effort to purge conservatives?
Are Trey Grayson and Rand Paul still pushing ahead on their Senate campaign plans? Both sounded reluctant to run if Bunning insists on staying in the race.
Because he’s a reliable conservative.
A reliable conservative who is getting up there in years. He’s isn’t popular enough to continue being re-elected despite his age.
That’s a good reason to support Specter and dump Bunning.
It appears to me it is exactly that.
The demonrats have no problem running cadavers when necessary.
Specter is old and has a history of brain cancer. He should have been pushed aside even if he were a reliable conservative.
Nick some in the leadership have no balls. They clearly don’t believe in fighting for what they believe. They don’t believe in loyalty to those who have been loyal. They are expedient and cowards. They behave as if they can manipulate us just as bad as the Democrats. I’ve been searching and can find no good reason not to rally behind Bunning yet these same types get all teary eyed about people like Jeffords and Specter. He’d be a bit more popular if all the guys saying he can’t win would get out there and help him raise some funds. I’m tried of defeatists leading the party. Where is the fight?
But the fact is McConnell and Cornyn were 100% behind Specter, and were trying to force Bunning out.
There’s was no exuse to back Specter but Bunning cannot win because of perceived senility. Sad for him but that’s the reality. We can’t hand that seat away.
Rand Paul announced his campaign.
Grayson is still “exploring” a race. I hope he “discovers” it soon.
Interestingly enough, there doesn’t seem to anything on Rand Paul’s Senate campaign site about “repeal the patriot act/close down Gitmo/bring the troops home”. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take such a position, given who his father is. But if he’s smart he will avoid siding with dear old dad on some of the more extremist foreign policy views.
Other than that I like the guy.
If senility is an issue, why did we allow McConnell to run again?
He’s just stupid, voters obviously don’t mind that.
Bunning is reported to have said in early 2009 that he would resign his Senate seat - giving the Democrats 60 Senate seats - if he did not receive more Republican financial support in his re-election effort.[24] Bunning denied that he had made that statement.[25] He has said that would reassess his decision to run based on fundraising through June 2009.[26]
In an April 2009 poll, Bunning’s approval rating was just 28%, and he trailed the four most likely Democratic candidates in hypothetical contests. 54% of voters in the state disapproved of Bunning’s performance. [27] Kentucky GOP Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced April 30, 2009 that he would form an exploratory committee to run for Bunning’s seat. Speculation is that this is a precursor to Bunning’s retirement. “He (Bunning) told Trey to do this,” one senior congressional official said of Bunning. “Why else would he tell his main rival to prepare for a run?” [28] However, Bunning said at a Lincoln Day dinner in Kentucky on 10th May that he still planned to run: “The battle is going to be long, but I am prepared to fight for my values.” [29]’
There’s been a lot of talk that Bunning can’t get re-elected. Frankly, I don’t know if it’s true or not. You really can’t believe what these guys say any more.
I don’t doubt that he has been viciously attacked by the media because he’s conservative. But the proper answer would be to hit back, not roll over. If he’s too old, what about McCain? or Byrd? I would think you could make a seniority argument, at the very least.
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