How does McConnell survive in the same state as Rand Paul?
Rand caves to McConnell when critical votes are on the table.
Rand didn’t bother to object or abstain on Jan 6. He didn’t bother to hear the urgent pleas of many state legislatures asking for more time as credible outcome-deterministic fraud and irregularities emerged in their states moved them to reconsider their certifications.
And this was not the first time Rand bowed to McConnell, not by far. Rand has been followed from years ago when he was put in his place by McConnell regarding matters of the Tea Party. MAGA is viewed no differently and is targeted for the same treatment.
But Rand was allowed to oppose the unconstitutional impeachment because McConnell’s network of power views that impeachment as a bridge too far. Such an impeachment would cause a backlash thereby strengthening MAGA. The McConnell power nexus plans to marginalize MAGA and render Trump irrelevant.
In sum, Rand is part of the calculation. But he’s allowed to swing for the fences when no one is on base. And he sits on the bench when the bases are loaded.