It’s time to start thinking about who will be the next Senate Majority Leader.

redstate.com ^ | 2/4/14 | Gawken

[cotton1706]

(Big hint: it ain’t John Cornyn)

On the front page this morning, Erick explains why Mitch McConnell’s USE BY day is about to come due. If he doesn’t lose the GOP primary to Matt Bevin, he’s more than likely to lose the general election. Either way, he’s a goner, which is great thing for both the GOP and the nation.

As politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum, one must assume that the wheels are already starting to turn inside a great many heads; wondering, pondering, weighing the possibilities, asking “what if..”

If we are to truly change Washington, we won’t do so by evicting McConnell just to replace him with John Cornyn. It’s important that conservatives start making plans for the post-McConnell era, coalesce around a candidate, and begin to exert pressure on GOP senators not to choose Cornyn as the “default” option.

So let’s do some projections, shall we?

If the GOP has a 51 seat conference next year, then it takes 26 votes to elect the majority leader.

Assume that all Republicans, except McConnell, are re-elected. In three states, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, the GOP will hold the seat of a retiring Republican.

So where might we find the 26 votes needed? Who would be open to electing a true conservative as majority leader?

The new senators from Georgia and Nebraska, likely elected with strong Tea Party support, top the list. Among the newly won, formerly Democrat seats in Arkansas, Louisiana, Alaska, North Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia, and Montana, none are that beholden to Cornyn, and most could well vote for someone else.

[tennmountainman]

Either Belvin will take out McConnell or Grimes will.
McConnell will then be free to join Trent Lott’s DC lobbying firm.

[SharpRightTurn]

I support Mike Lee.

[RIghtwardHo]

Sadly, it’s highly likely going to be Reid. However, if I am surprised, I’d love to see Mike Lee.

[JohnBrowdie]

Either Belvin will take out McConnell or Grimes will.

conservatives that want to give away a senate seat to the dems should have their freaking heads examined -- and don't give me your line of crap about a "rino" being no better than a dem. you're full of crap.

if you don't know the difference between mitch mcconnel and harry reid, then you are too stupid to vote.

[tennmountainman]

Take your “lessor than two evils” nonsense and shove it.

My advice, make sure Bevins wins the primary.
McConnell is a goner.

[JohnBrowdie]

people like you gave us odonnell, akin, mourdock, and angle. I can’t believe anyone is still still listening.

so, why don’t you take your sure senate losses, and shove it? you’re the reason we need six wins to flip the senate, not two.

[Old Yeller]

if you don't know the difference between mitch mcconnel and harry reid, then you are too stupid to vote.

Please enlighten us. What are the differences?

[JohnBrowdie]

Please enlighten us. What are the differences?

I'll send the authorities to confiscate your voter registration.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

Writer is whistling past the graveyard. Mc Connell will defeat Bevin handily and win the General going away.

[Tupelo]

re: “It’s time to start thinking about who will be the next Senate Majority Leader.”

Wow! This sounds a lot like the Denver media a week or so ago.

Mama always said, “Don’t count your chickens before they have hatched.”

[LRoggy]

Thune is right now third in line behind McConnell and Cornyn.

[glennaro]

and don't give me your line of crap about a "rino" being no better than a dem. you're full of crap

John, like you I've challenged that way of thinking for a long time ... but now I'm not so confident that it's "full of crap". I'm beginning to think it's not completely "full of crap" to want to vote for only strong conservatives to defeat the formidable combined force of RINOS and Democrat-Socialists aligned against us.

[taildragger]

"if you don't know the difference between mitch mcconnel and harry reid, then you are too stupid to vote."

Yes we do, and they both suffer from Dingellism, a disease of the mind that makes you think you are all powerful, entitled to the seat, and are doing it all for the little people with their nose up in the air as they say it.

I take no joy in watching Boenher, McConnell loose their way from what they were in 94-95' or were they flawed back then too, they were are our hero's ditto that Newt, Graham and Lott.

Now I wouldn't give ya $5 to see them all on stage doing a comedy routine.

Levin is right, 12 years and out and get back to the plow....

It is time for Mitch to metaphorically get what Bugs it about get in the picture below, off the stage already, we are tired of you...

[Hostage]

Ted Cruz or Mike Lee.

Cruz will be the nominee for President in 2016 but he can lead the Senate for 2 years in the meantime. His campaign will not detract from his Senate duties because as majority leader he sets the agenda in the Senate and that can be done well ahead of the time when the campaign starts.

[Uncle Miltie]

I’m with CRUZ!

[crz]

It will be Cornyn, and if he loses his primary, then Thune.

So forget about Cruz, Lee or any other. And McCain will pull the chains of Cornyn or Thune.

[HOYA97]

McConnell is not well liked in Kentucky. Based on a poll below that was released yesterday McConnell is toast. You may not like it but a fact is still a fact.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell runs dead even with Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at the 2014 U.S. Senate race in Kentucky. But McConnell’s GOP primary rival Matt Bevin leads Grimes by six points.

[tennmountainman]

People like you gave us McConnell, Crist, Fliona, Meg Whitman

Take your “ lessor of two evils” and shove it.

We’ve tried it your way. It does not work.

[VRWC For Truth]

Exactly. The GOPe never supported tea party candidates, so they can ESAD.