Posted on 01/01/2021 9:10:52 AM PST by Alter Kaker
It took four years and an election defeat. But someone with real power inside the Republican Party is standing up to — and swatting back — President Trump: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Why it matters: This is a preview of the power struggle that will define the Republican Party in 2021.
You saw this with McConnell acknowledging Joe Biden as President-elect.
You saw this with McConnell blocking Trump's push to raise stimulus checks to $2,000, which would have split Senate Republicans. And you're seeing it now with his effort to curtail futile resistance by the GOP to congressional certification of Biden's victory.
Yes, but: Until now, McConnell's strategy was buffeted by the chaos Trump created. Now, the Senate leader — whose autobiography is called "The Long Game" — is finally able to set the party's course.
"McConnell is trying to reclaim the role he had in 2009 — leader of the opposition to a new Democratic president," said a Republican operative familiar with the leader's thinking.
What he's thinking: Depending on the outcome of Tuesday's Georgia runoffs, McConnell will have to find a way to protect — or regain — a Senate majority, in the face of Trump and his operatives promoting candidates who could win primaries but might well lose.
During Trump's presidency, Axios' Margaret Talev points out, McConnell gained from an alliance that yielded 200+ lifetime judgeships — including three Supreme Court justices. As ex-president, Trump carries more liability.
The bottom line: Beginning 19 days from now, McConnell is the most powerful Republican in the land.
McFatass just may have destroyed the Repulsican party. I’m afraid that I no longer have time for marshmallow-spines vermin.
Good for him. If after screwing Trump for four years he thinks republicans are the heirs of the Trump voter movement, he can go eff himself. I’m not voting for a return to what he represents.
If Republicans don’t retire McConnell (two faced weak knees China bound) then we will replace the party with the Trump Constitutional Party.
“ real power”
He’ll be the Senate minority leader on 20 Jan and getting coffee for Schumer
The liberals are singing mcconnell’s praises. mcconnell is the single person who is most responsible for the loss of America.
Will be changing my registration on Jan 4, 2021. The wallet is closed and my phone is on Block. Screw everything GOP.
If McConnell hands America over to the Communist Democrats he presides over a NOTHING party.
NOT ONE MORE CENT FROM ME.
That would be death of the party. Good going Mitch.
Oh, did he use the “I was here before you got here and I’ll be here after you’re gone!” line?
Mikey Allen, the writer, is one of the most DESPICABLE people in DC.
Wait until after the 6th.
A ‘clean’ 2000 stimulus would not have hurt, it would have HELPED Senate Republicans.
CCP Axios
Good to know. Anything in this article seem wrong to you? If anything, he seems to understate the case.
Mike Allen is the cheapest, dumbest, toe-tapping media whore in DC.
this guy is tool of the UniParty...helping to frame a Red-Blue ping-pong game to distract us al from the crimes of the UniParty-CCP
McConnell was never feckless. He was doing what his owners wanted him to do.
Paul Ryan, McConnell, Romney, Sasse, Lee, all worthless. How do they look themselves in the mirror? Other than President Trump and Rand and a handful of others, we the people have no advocates in Washington.
Bush League Republicans sabotaged the Trump administration from the get go.
There is no future for the GOP.
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