[central_va]

The fact is that McConnell votes conservative about 2/3 of the time

You mean China Mitch " I never net a tariff I liked" McDunghole?

[RinaseaofDs]

McConnell is the leader of the Controlled Opposition. He’s the leader because he’s good at it.

When you look at the GOP as Controlled Opposition, everything they do makes sense. All of it.

[BroJoeK]

central_va: "You mean China Mitch " I never net a tariff I liked" McDunghole?"

First, remember that President Trump was able to increase tariffs substantially, with or without McConnell's approval.

Second, I agree that McConnell is a problem, seemingly a big problem, and I have two theories on that:

1. If you look at Senate & House Democrats, their leaders (Schumer & Pelosi) are in the middle of the Democrats socialist camps, not on the more "moderate" or conservative side.
   In other words, Chuck & Nancy are closer to AOC & Bernie than they are to "moderate" Democrats like, say, WVA's Joe Manchin.

   So why do conservative Republicans chose as leaders some of their most "moderate" members?
   The obvious answer is: they hope to "go along & get along" and maybe win over some "moderate" Democrat voters.
   This strategy seemed to pay-off in 2020 when, despite President Trumps alleged "defeat", House Republicans gained seats.
   But Senate Republicans did not and there we see the limits of their "let's all be nice" strategy.

   Bottom line: the problem is not McConnell himself (he is what he is), the question is: why do Senate conservatives keep electing such "moderates" their leaders?

2. Here we have to ask: why do conservative Senate Republicans like or appreciate McConnell's leadership?
   The answer must be: because McConnell puts up with guff from Democrats they would not -- conservatives would want too much to clock Democrats for what they do.
   But McConnell puts up with it all and still, somehow, "gets things done".

   In other words: McConnell can take Democrats' abuse, maybe even thrives under it, makes deals, passes legislation.
   So, how can conservatives put some spine in McConnell, make him less accommodating of Democrats' demands?
   Answer: by abusing McConnell worse than Democrats do.
   Make his political life more miserable than Democrats do and force him to chose -- does he really still want to be leader, or is it getting well past time to retire?

Of course, if you're going to do that, you'd better have a very good name in mind to replace him.

I certainly agree with President Trump that McConnell has to go if Republicans hope to win in 2022.