That's why he always supports his incumbents - so that he has chips he can call in when he really needs their votes. That's also why he doesn't push members of his caucus for votes that hurt them politically unless the issue is a critical one. And it's sometimes why he'll cast strategic votes that may go against conservative principles if both 1) he sees it as providing political cover/advantage, and 2) it was going to pass anyway even without the extra votes.
Obviously, all of that can really tick off people angry about some of those votes, or angry that he isn't coming down hard on a particular GOP senator who voted the wrong way. But as he sees it, that is all necessary so that he can maximize votes on the truly critical issues.
That all paid off for this decision on abortion. Remember how many here were so sure that a couple RINOs would cross the line to confirm Garland? And then sure that Collins would later sink Kavanaugh? To the shock of many, they all stood together
The reason the GOP caucus stood united, and we got the justices who overturned Roe (and passed Trump's massive corporate tax reforms), was because Mitch McConnell is a freaking genius when it comes to wielding political power in the Senate.
Very good summary. He has done a better job with what he had to work with than Trent Lott INHO.
This is a great observation on Mitch and as majority leader or minority leader is his job to produce the votes on critical issues. Obviously he did great work on judges during Trump’s term. Many here want the perfect to be the enemy of the good.