Republicans In Full Scale Battle-Mode Against McConnell

Senate Republicans and conservative leaders continue to attack Mitch McConnell after he tried for months to push Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill through the Senate, only to vote against it once he realized it would be voted down and that Larry Forgy was continuing to gain momentum against him for the Senate primary. The Courier Journal notes:

Whether McConnell's actions amounted to a flip-flop or wise leadership of his party was a matter of debate among observers, senators and the Republican leader himself...

The Washington Times on Thursday quoted one unidentified Republican senator opposed to the immigration measure as "very, very disappointed" that McConnell was not on the Senate floor in the thick of the debate...

Yesterday, The Washington Post reported that, according to unidentified GOP Senate aides, Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., was "furious" at McConnell for not taking on the compromise's chief opponents...

McConnell also must have an eye on Kentucky, where he faces re-election next year, she (Jennifer Duffy) said...

Norman Ornstein, senior analyst with the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, a conservative Washington-based think tank, thinks the episode was an embarrassment for McConnell.

While Ornstein acknowledged McConnell had a divided caucus, "he's clearly getting a little sensitive to some of these ads." And, Ornstein added, "the politics of '08 could be treacherous."

Courier-Journal: McConnell's Self-Interested Flip-Flop

At least on this occasion, the Courier-Journal editorial board tells it like it is. Mitch McConnell carried Teddy Kennedy's water through the Senate by shoving his amnesty bill down the throat of conservative Senators. Once McConnell realized the bill would not pass, he switched his vote to try and gain a slight advantage against Larry Forgy. Sorry Mitch, true conservatives will see right through that little maneuver:

And no recounting of this fiasco should omit the self-interested flip-flop of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who earlier had supported efforts to bring the immigration bill to a vote but on Thursday opposed cutting off debate. Before he was against the bill, he was for it.

Fred Barnes Calls Out Mitch McConnell In Fox News Special Report

The great conservative writer and commentator Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard called out Mitch McConnell in a conversation with Brit Hume on Fox News yesterday over McConnell's two-faced hypocrisy in pushing Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill through the Senate only to vote against the bill once McConnell knew it would fail:

BARNES: A lot of them voted against it just because they knew it was going down. They were not going to get the 60 votes. They only had 56, 57 votes. Once it was clear that they weren't going to get the 60, a lot of them voted against it as a protective measure.

HUME: In other words, none of them are sticking their neck out to fail.

BARNES: Yes. I mean, Mitch McConnell, did...

Roll Call: McConnell Running Scared As He Leaves Conservatives In The Dust

It looks like conservatives in the Senate put a stop to the backstabbing of the Louisville liberal today, as even Mitch McConnell switched his vote on amnesty once he realized that there were not 60 votes there. Now, Roll Call has a story out on how Mitch McConnell is beginning to hear the footsteps of Larry Forgy knocking on his door to start measuring the curtains in his Senate office:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) may not be atop the GOP’s most vulnerable list this cycle, but observers say he has been recently acting like he’s got a race on his hands…

McConnell has appeared to be missing in action in recent days as the debate comes to a heated denouement, an absence that many Republicans view as an attempt to keep himself at arm’s length from a politically incendiary issue for fear of upsetting Kentucky voters on one side and the White House on the other…

But Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said the issue has the potential to play a serious role in the upcoming election, warning that all Republicans — not just McConnell — should take note: “I think people make a big mistake if they take this lightly.”

“I think [McConnell] would be foolish, as we all would, if we weren’t worried about our re-elections, because as we saw from the last year, even potential presidential candidates can lose their Senate seat if they don’t pay attention to business,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Congressional Quarterly: Conservatives Upset With McConnell Over Amnesty Bill

Both the local and national media continue to catch on to the incredible actions of the turncoat Mitch McConnell, as he continues to put the interests of Teddy Kennedy before Kentucky's conservatives:

The Kentucky Republican has not made a major floor speech — or for that matter had much at all to say publicly on the topic since the bill returned as a top agenda item in the Senate.

Two weeks of public silence at a time when his caucus is roiled with deep divisions over a top-tier issue — and a priority of their party’s president — is unusual on the part of a Senate leader. But then, immigration is an unusual issue...

“Conservatives are disappointed that Mitch McConnell is not more forcefully defending the rights of the minority on this amnesty bill,” said Brian Darling, director of Senate relations for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. “I think conservatives are angry with Senate leadership.”

Washington Times: McConnell Abandons Republican Senators

Was it not enough for the Louisville liberal to turn his back on Governor Fletcher and Kentucky's conservatives? Now, Mitch McConnell is railroading our conservatives in the Senate by pushing Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill. The Washington Times notes:

"I've been very, very disappointed, but there's nothing to be gained at this point" from making him angry, said one of the 25 Republicans who voted earlier this week to block the bill but who said making their dispute with Mr. McConnell public would not help Republicans in the future...

Republicans refused to publicly blame Mr. McConnell, with Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina saying their leader is "doing the best he can" with the situation. But they also said they feel they are fighting alone, without the help of Mr. McConnell or their president, and the frustration showed yesterday.

"Senator McConnell's not being railroaded, President Bush is not being railroaded, I'm being railroaded," Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana Republican, told Mr. Reid on the floor.

The Hill: McConnell Feeling Re-election Pressure

A new story in The Hill shows how Mitch McConnell has been carrying Teddy Kennedy's water behind the scenes, while trying to stay under the radar so conservatives back home don't realize he is pushing the liberals amnesty bill. He is clearly feeling the pressure from the Larry Forgy supporters back home in the Commonwealth:

Publicly, McConnell has tried to limit talking about the issue. Reporters who pepper him with questions about immigration legislation often are greeted with silence. And recently he cut short a news conference on energy issues once questions turned to the immigration bill.

Analysts note that McConnell — who recently said next year’s reelection race will be the toughest of his career — is in a “lose-lose” situation. If the Senate passes the bill, they say, conservative critics will argue that McConnell helped facilitate its passage. If the bill stalls, Democrats will use the bill’s failure to aid in their characterization of the senator as an
“obstructionist.”

AP: National Group Takes Aim At McConnell On Immigration

It will be interesting to see what Mitch McConnell does over the next week. He has been a longtime supporter of amnesty dating back to his 1986 vote, but one has to wonder if the Louisville Liberal will try and confuse conservatives by helping push amendments and voting against the final bill once he helps ensure it will pass. The AP reports:

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is drawing criticism back in a television ad being run by a national group. McConnell helped revive an immigration bill this week.

NumbersUSA favors restricting immigration. The group accuses McConnell of joining liberal icon Ted Kennedy in strong-arming senators to support amnesty for millions of illegal aliens.

The group's ad says illegal immigrants have taken jobs from American workers, and says the legislation won't stop future illegal immigration. The ad started airing Tuesday in Kentucky.

RedState: "Drumroll Please - Your Republican Sellouts"

On the heels of a national poll from Rasmussen Reports showing just 22% of Americans support the Kennedy/McConnell Amnesty Bill, the Louisville liberal decided to shove Teddy Kennedy's bill down the Senate's throat. From RedState:

The Immigration cloture motion passed, as we know, by a whopping 64-35 margin... Here, for your entertainment pleasure, and primary election season considerations, I bring you our heroes:

McConnell (R-KY).

Courier-Journal: McConnell Lacks Leadership On Coal-Mining Safety

Once again, Mitch McConnell has pushed the interests of his fat-cat campaign contributors while ignoring the needs of Kentucky's conservatives. This time, its playing games with the lives of our hard-working coal miners:

Still dying for coal

It is clear why miners resist getting tested for the disease. Their jobs pay very well, in a region where decent paychecks are very hard to come by. These men fear failing to provide for their families more than they fear gasping and coughing themselves to an early grave...

But Kentucky's GOP delegation -- led by Sen. Mitch McConnell, whose wife, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, is responsible for federal mining regulation -- has failed to take any kind of leadership role, except to promote taxpayer handouts for coal-to-fuel projects that are technically unready, environmentally short-sighted and loaded with hidden human costs.

Courier-Journal: McConnell Goes Back On His Word To Kentucky GOP

This is simply disgraceful. First, the Mitch McConnell promised fundraise in Kentucky during the Governor's race after he brought George W. Bush to Louisville and dried up money for other Republican candidates. Now, the Louisville liberal is going back on his word. The Courier-Journal reports:

Earlier this year, when Bush came to town to raise money for McConnell, the senator said he planned to suspend active fundraising in Kentucky until after this year's gubernatorial election. His chief of staff, Billy Piper, said that's still the plan. McConnell won't hold fundraising events in the state but will continue to solicit money by mail.

Why? Because McConnell apparently thinks he's vulnerable:

McConnell, a Republican, recently sent out a fundraising letter saying he faces the toughest re-election fight of his career.

Sounds like he's hearing Larry Forgy has his number!

McConnell Tries To Have It Both Ways As Conservative TV Attacks Continue In Kentucky

The Louisville liberal continues to think he can play us like fools. As Grassfire.org and Numbers USA unleash TV ads attacking Mitch McConnell for pushing Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill through the Senate, McConnell now claims he is "wavering" on the issue. PoliPundit notes:

McConnell faces re-election next year in Kentucky. He and Sen. Lott (R-Miss.) led the way for the revival of the amnesty this week. But McConnell clearly doesn’t want to take responsibility for this. As I wrote on Thursday, McConnell’s credibility lies with whether he votes NO on the clotures. A NO vote on the final vote on the bill while voting YES on cloture will not free him of any responsibility for any passage that might happen.

So McConnell thinks he is going to twist arms to get Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill to the floor and then switch his vote once the outcome is decided? Something tells me Kentucky conservatives aren't gonna buy this for a second when we have Larry Forgy speaking out!

LA Times: Immigration bill ignites grass-roots fire

The conservative grassroots is finally forcing the nation to pay attention. Now its only a matter of time until the pressure continues to mount on Mitch McConnell and his Louisville liberal cronies:

The conservative group NumbersUSA has seen its numbers skyrocket. Activists pressure wavering senators.

Conservative anger at the Senate immigration bill is at such a pitch that even Republican lawmakers are feeling the heat. Groups like NumbersUSA have been channeling that grass-roots fury and, in doing so, have leaped in size and are playing a larger role in the immigration debate than ever before.

At NumbersUSA, one of the largest and loudest, membership is up 81% since January and donations are soaring. With the immigration bill possibly set to pass or fail in the Senate this week — a crucial vote could come as early as Tuesday — the nonprofit group plans a fierce campaign against the bill and any senator who supports it.

The group will unveil TV ads against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-N.C.). Another ad will target Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Fresno Bee: Immigration debate includes political theater

The liberal national media is really picking up on the damage that the Kennedy/McConnell amnesty bill is doing to Kentucky conservatives and blue collar workers across the country. The Fresno Bee writes:

Sen. Edward Kennedy needs Marna Vasquez, and vice versa.

Vasquez is a packinghouse worker from Porterville. Kennedy is a rich and famous Democratic senator from Massachusetts.

Its not just rural areas that will be hit, although we may suffer the most if we don't oust the Louisville liberal and replace him with a true conservative like Larry Forgy:

The immigration fight spans many fronts.

Some are formal set pieces, such as the Senate debate itself. Some have the potential to be far more influential, such as private deal-making among senators.

Some fill the airwaves, such as the ads running in Kentucky urging Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to oppose the bill.

More Disenchantment With McConnell In The Courier-Journal

The Courier-Journal published more letters today from Republicans in Kentucky that are infuriated with the Louisville liberal for pushing Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill through the Senate. Here are a few excerpts:

Switching vote

I have always voted for Mitch McConnell. Because he is trying to ram that massive amnesty bill down our throats, I will vote for anyone who runs against him in the future.

'Opportunity to pay'

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for Sen. Mitch McConnell's successful effort to bring back the so-called immigration reform bill from the brink of defeat….

I, and my family, will be given the opportunity to pay the illegal aliens' and their families' medical bills, furnish schools so they may learn English (should they decide to make the effort), assure they have proper food and housing, and pay for additional law enforcement to counter the increase in crime that is sure to come.

Thanks again, Sen. McConnell, for all of these wonderful opportunities.

Grassfire.org To Spend Over $200,000 Attacking The McConnell Amnesty Bill

Conservative groups are lining up to put the pressure on the Louisville liberal as he continues to team with Teddy Kennedy and turn his back on Kentucky's conservatives. Remember to encourage these groups to keep up the pressure and support a true conservative, Larry Forgy, in 2008:

As Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), questions his support for the President’s amnesty bill, Grassfire.org announces that it is expanding the presence of its “Where’s The Fence?”™ television ad that has been airing in the Senator’s state of Kentucky throughout the week.

“Airing the ad in Kentucky is really mobilizing the blue-grassroots of that great state,” says Steve Elliott, President of Grassfire.org. “They are taking the no amnesty, border enforcement message directly to Mr. McConnell, and it’s making an impact on him. Frankly, we are thrilled that this champion of the amnesty bill is perhaps preparing to finally listen to his constituents.”

Elliott says the decision to increase airtime in Kentucky is a powerful sign that grassroots pressure does indeed work.

Reminder: Groups should also consider asking McConnell to address his past votes supporting amnesty, including votes to overhaul penalties on workers who hire illegal immigrants.

The Hill: Sen. McConnell says he’s in the ‘most difficult’ reelection bid of his career

Its clear that the national liberal media is finally being forced to pay attention to Kentucky's conservatives. We made our statement when Governor Fletcher defeated the Louisville liberals Mitch McConnell and Anne Northup, and we will declare final victory when Larry Forgy dispatches Mitch McConnell for the 2008 Republican nomination for the United State Senate. The Hill is starting to catch on:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is “facing the most difficult reelection campaign” of his career, or at least that’s what he’s telling his political supporters...

The letter was posted this week to a blog dedicated to drafting another Republican, former gubernatorial nominee Larry Forgy, to run against him in a primary...

The “most difficult reelection campaign” assertion is interesting because McConnell won reelection in 1990 by less than 5 points in a tough race against former Louisville Mayor Harvey Sloane. McConnell took 55 percent in 1996 and 65 percent in 2002.

Republican Senators Reportedly Turning On McConnell

In the aftermath of the Club for Growth publishing a letter from Senator Coburn blasting Mitch McConnell, Right Wing News is reporting that several other conservative Senators are infuriated with Mitch McConnell after he teamed up with Harry Reid to push Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill:

My source tells me that this has left a sour taste in the mouth of a number of Republican senators who are upset that Mitch McConnell is cooperating with Harry Reid to curtail the rights of Republican senators...

According to my source, this is causing a lot of nervousness amongst Republican senators and it has Mitch McConnell acting very defensively behind closed doors about working with Harry Reid to roll members of his own caucus.

Michelle Malkin Urges Conservatives To Pressure McConnell

Michelle Malkin is the latest among conservative pundits to speak out against the Louisville liberal, Mitch McConnell. Malkin writes:

The Associated Press is making a big deal of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s “wavering.” Eh. When is he not? That said, don’t hesitate to send him a message.

National Conservative Groups Launch New Ad Targeting Kennedy/McConnell

The Heritage Foundation's Robert Bluey just posted a new ad on RedState that is sponsored by the Eagle Forum and Let Freedom Ring, which targets Mitch McConnell, Teddy Kennedy, Lindsey Graham, and Jon Kyl for sponsoring the amnesty bill:

National Review: "Nightmare on Amnesty Street"

As the national media continues to hammer away at the Kennedy/McConnell Amnesty Bill, one has to wonder if Mitch McConnell will even stay in the race to get hammered by Larry Forgy. the National Review writes:

This week, conservatives will watch in horror as Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell give a wink and a nod to amendments approved by the drafters of the bipartisan amnesty approach to immigration reform in anticipation of a final deal.

The American people don’t want amnesty for illegal aliens, a fact shown by poll after poll. Perhaps lawmakers’ haste to ram an unpopular bill through explains why poll numbers for Congress are also diving. President Bush hasn’t been faring well either in surveys. In a recent Rasmussen poll, only 15 percent give him good or excellent marks on immigration.

National Conservatives Form New Organization To Support Primary Challenges To Mitch McConnell And Lindsey Graham

Several leading national conservative figures are forming a new group to help back primary challenges to pro-amnesty "Republicans" Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham. The Payback Project has several plans:

If the amnesty bill in the Senate passes, we're going after any Republican Senator up for reelection in 2008 who votes for it. Conservatives put these Senators into office and if they won't listen to us, then we will replace in the primaries with Senators who will.

Leading Republican blogs such as Right Wing News appear to be on board:

This is really about what these Republican Senators like Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, Trent Lott, Jon Kyl, etc., seem to think...Now, I am going to work, via the The Payback Project, , to defeat and politically damage as many of these pro-amnesty Republicans as I can in 2008 during the primary season -- assuming the bill passes -- but I'm not going to tell people to vote against these Republicans -- other than Lindsey Graham -- if we can't dispatch them in the primaries.

Mitch McConnell Sends Desperate Letter Begging Us To Support His Reelection Bid

We just received a pathetic plea of desperation from the Louisville liberal's campaign in which he claims to have built up the Republican grassroots in Kentucky. Of course, Teddy Kennedy's amnesty partner once again tries to masquerade as a conservative, and conveniently leaves out his backstabbing of our conservative Governor:

As one of the most dedicated conservative activists in Kentucky, you know how important the upcoming election is for our state and our nation.

I can't imagine you'll be on the sidelines for this one -- not after everything you've done over the years helping conservatives win against the odds.

And thats exactly why I am writing you. You see, I am facing the most difficult reelection campaign of my career.

Unbelievable. And exactly why would the Louisville liberal think I would support him over a true conservative like Larry Forgy?

Why target a die-hard campaigner like me who has worked his entire political career to build our GOP in Kentucky up from the grassroots level and who will fight this reelection campaign to the bitter end?

Why? Because Mitch McConnell turned his back on Kentucky's conservative movement. Because Mitch McConnell wants to give our jobs to illegal immigrants. Because Mitch McConnell abandoned Governor Fletcher the Kentucky Republican Party.

McConnell Already Voted For Amnesty

With Mitch McConnell on Face the Nation Sunday morning saying the outlook for the Kennedy/McConnell Amnesty Bill was a "mixed picture" and that he wasn't sure if it was going to pass, its important to note that this is not the first time that the Louisville liberal has supported amnesty. In 1986, McConnell even went as far as pushing legislation to remove penalties on employers that hire illegal aliens. Congressional Quarterly described S. 1200 (on which McConnell voted yes) as:

Adoption of the conference report on the bill to overhaul the nation's immigration laws by creating new penalties against employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens; granting amnesty to illegal aliens who can prove they were in the country prior to Jan. 1, 1982; and creating a special farm worker program for Western agricultural growers. Adopted 61-25, October 17, 1986 .

Republicans For Beshear Is A Result Of McConnell's Efforts To Split The Party

The Courier-Journal has a story today on some ridiculous group called Republicans for Beshear. None of these crazy efforts would have happened if it wasn't for Benedict McConnell and his fellow Louisville liberals Anne Northup and Ted Jackson's efforts to split the Republican Party. Larry Forgy has always said that his final decision on whether to challenge Mitch McConnell in 2008 will be made after seeing McConnell's efforts on behalf of Governor Fletcher. Well, has anyone seen McConnell lift a finger for the Governor since the "Unity Rally?" The entire event was designed to help his own 2008 campaign and undermine Governor Fletcher's, with Northup and Jackson hiding in Louisville. Its time for Mitch McConnell to step up to the plate for Governor Fletcher or start planning his concession speech to Larry Forgy!

A mysterious group (or person) calling itself republicans4beshear showed up a couple of weeks ago on local political blogs, soliciting Republicans to join its ranks.

But other than a quick introductory note -- asking "those GOPers interested, please contact republicans4beshear@yahoo.com" -- the group has remained low-key, if not inactive.

CNN: Conservative bloggers in full revolt over immigration

The only question left is whether Mitch McConnell will run as an independent after Larry Forgy takes the Republican nomination? Reports in Nebraska are that a similar option may be on the horizon for Chuck Hagel. To be honest, after the Louisville liberal propped up Anne Northup to undermine Governor Fletcher, I wouldn't put anything past him. He simply turned his back on the conservative base. RedState editor Erick Erickson says he gets 800 to 900 emails a day from conservative activists enraged over the McConnell/Kennedy Amnesty Bill:

When details of an immigration compromise were announced this spring, conservative bloggers were immediately incensed. Michelle Malkin labeled it "a White House betrayal."

Another popular blogger, Hugh Hewitt, called the bill a "fiasco" and wrote: "this push for this bill is a disaster, Mr. President."

Bloggers: Secure the border first

Conservative bloggers make various arguments against the bill. Some say the bill grants amnesty to illegal immigrants who have already broken the law. Others say normalizing millions of new workers would depress wages and harm American workers...

Blogosphere ready for round two

When the bill was stymied by a procedural vote on June 7, the blogs claimed victory. A straw poll of conservative bloggers conducted by the Web site Right Wing News showed that 96 percent of bloggers surveyed were "pleased that the Senate immigration bill did not pass."

Right Wing News Pushes Larry Forgy and Jon Bruning

One of the leading national conservative sites reiterated its support Sunday morning for Larry Forgy to challenge Mitch McConnell and for Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning's primary challenge against Chuck Hagel. Bruning is currently trouncing Hagel in the polls and look closely for another potential primary challenge to Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, who flew the Louisville liberal in for a fundraiser this week. Right Wing News writes:

Folks, next week the immigration bill is coming back and despite the fact that conservatives, Republicans, and the American people overwhelmingly oppose it, the momentum seems to be in its favor.

This bill will be a disaster for the Republican party and more importantly, for America. So, contact your Senators and let them know that your future support for them hinges entirely on whether or not they oppose cloture on this bill.

Club For Growth Publishes Senator Coburn's Letter To Mitch McConnell

There have been rumblings that the Club For Growth may target Mitch McConnell in a similar mold to their past efforts against his fellow liberal "Republicans," Lincoln Chafee and Arlen Specter. The Club For Growth recently opened a Kentucky branch, and the national organization ran this letter from Senator Coburn attacking McConnell for spending government funds like he is John Edwards at a beauty salon. Larry Forgy is the perfect candidate for the Club For Growth to back, a true Conservative who can win in 2008:

Dear Senator McConnell,

I am requesting that I be consulted before the Senate enters into any unanimous consent agreements regarding a vote on any resolution or other legislation expressing a lack of confidence in any federal official.

If such a resolution comes before the Senate, I plan to offer an amendment expressing no confidence in Congress’ ability to cut wasteful spending or balance the budget...

Polls have repeatedly found that Americans overwhelmingly oppose new spending, bigger government, and pork barrel politics. Yet Congress has been unable or unwilling to end its addiction to borrowing and spending. Week after week, Congress authorizes billions of dollars of spending on new programs or passes bills larded up with pork barrel projects. Scandal after scandal plagues Congress with nearly every single one connected to the misuse of federal dollars. It is no surprise that the public has a total lack of confidence in Congress, as witnessed by every recent poll.

Roll Call: McConnell Carrying Teddy Kennedy's Water On Amnesty Bill

The national media is starting to pick up on the discontent with the Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell that is being voiced on many of the leading conservative blogs, as seen in Roll Call today:

Conservatives Get Ultimatum

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) said he already has told Senate GOP leaders he will not support the immigration filibuster any longer. "They've had ample opportunity," Craig said of the Republican dissenters who successfully rallied a majority of their Conference to block the bill last week. Craig added that he supports McConnell's efforts to goad the conservatives into capitulating, saying that over the years "when I was in a minority position I was given fair fun, but I was never given carte blanche to kill something."

Heritage Foundation's Robert Bluey Slams McConnell/Kennedy Amnesty Bill

I would love to see a primary poll right now, because Larry Forgy is about to blow McConnell out of the race. Robert Bluey said said it best in his RedState column, the Louisville liberal is simply rolling over for Teddy Kennedy:

A conservative Senate GOP aide told me McConnell caved under pressure from the White House and Democrats. "They are going to roll over conservatives. They scheduled debate time and a vote for next week knowing full well that Jeff Sessions would be out of town."

My source said the fact that McConnell would agree to such an arrangement means that he's willing to disregard the interests of his own caucus to appease Sen. Teddy Kennedy (D.-Mass.) and other amnesty supporters. It also suggests the bill's supporters will do almost anything to ram it through even though just 20% of Americans want it.

Conservative Kentucky Blogs Hammer Mitch McConnell Over Immigration And Gas Prices

Conservative radio show host Leland Conway took Mitch McConnell to the task over immigration yesterday on the Conservative Edge, one of the Commonwealth's leading Republican blogs:

Of our two Republican Senators, I favor Jim Bunning's position on immigration to McConnell's. I understand that Mitch is probably playing a Washington political power game - what's new?

My point is, forget a new immigration bill, make an appropriations bill and protect America first.

Mitch McConnell needs to quit playing politics and start pushing REAL immigration reform.

Also, Kentucky Progress noted that McConnell is playing partisan political games with gas prices:

Sen. Mitch McConnell today messes up his own call for expanding domestic petroleum production by playing a partisan political game that out-lived its usefulness the first time it was used:

Good grief. Republicans aren't going to win on gas prices any time soon because too many people think the government can lower prices by making up more price gouging laws.

RedState: Open Letter To Sen. Mitch McConnell

RedState, one of the nation's leading conservative blogs, featured an open letter to Mitch McConnell today. The letter slams the Louisville liberal over pushing Teddy Kennedy's amnesty bill:

Senator McConnell:

Recently you said:
"I think the status quo is indefensible. The status quo is what's produced 11 or 12 million illegal immigrants in the country with no real plan - a de facto amnesty, if you will, for those who are already here."

Your statement is indefensible...

Reducing the amount of fence that was already promised to be built and leaving a porous border is indefensible.

Promising that the government really will enforce this new law (when it never has done so in the past) is indefensible...

Dismissing the legitimate concerns of so many of your constituents is indefensible.

I agree that the status quo is indefensible. Senator McConnell, tell President Bush to change the status quo. BUILD THE FENCE. SECURE THE BORDER. ENFORCE THE LAWS. After the flow has stopped, then we can talk about other reforms.

Bob Novak: Mitch McConnell May Face Primary Challenge

One of the nation's leading political commentators wrote this morning that Mitch McConnell is set to face a primary challenge for the Republican nomination in 2008:

Kentucky: Fresh from losing the nomination for lieutenant governor, state Atty. Gen. Greg Stumbo (D) has let out word that he is considering a run at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). McConnell is well funded and should be unassailable. Democrats would love to give him a hard time, putting one more Republican Senate seat on the map by fielding a credible candidate. Another potential Democratic candidate is millionaire businessman Charlie Owen.

There is even some talk of a primary against McConnell -- a thinly veiled threat by some Republicans who feel that he did not do enough to help Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) in his contested primary last month. Fletcher now trails in double digits for this November's re-election.

Will Sara Taylor's Congressional Subpoena Implicate Mitch McConnell?

Congressional subpoenas were issued this week for former White House Political Director Sara Taylor, as she will be forced to testify on her role in the firings of 8 U.S. Attorneys:

Two congressional committees are issuing subpoenas for testimony from former White House counsel Harriet Miers and former political director Sara Taylor on their roles in the firings of eight federal prosecutors, according to two officials familiar with the investigation.

Remember that Taylor's deputy in the White House was Scott Jennings, the former Political Director for Mitch McConnell. Jennings is currently being investigated for both his role in the U.S. Attorney firings and also his alleged political presentation to the General Services Administration:

Violation of the Hatch Act, enacted to protect federal executive branch employees from being coerced into engaging in political activity, is not a criminal act but could result in Doan’s removal from office. Doan, 49, a former educator and businesswoman, and her husband were major donors to Republican causes before Bush nominated her in April 2006 as the first woman to head the GSA.
She is to testify on Wednesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
The special counsel’s office said it had interviewed 21 of the 36 GSA political appointees who attended the Jan. 26 meeting with J. Scott Jennings, the White House deputy director of the Office of Political Affairs. The counsel’s office also talked to Jennings and interviewed Doan for nine hours over two days.

Questions will now likely be asked about communications between Scott Jennings and his mentor Mitch McConnell during the U.S. Attorney scandal. Also look for Congress to subpoena emails that Jennings sent from his RNC email account to try and circumvent the Open Records Act. Anyone think these some of these emails were sent to Mitch McConnell? Remember:

J. Scott Jennings, a political operative from Dawson Springs who has emerged as a key player in the growing maelstrom over the firings of eight U.S. attorneys allegedly for political reasons, was back in the national news last week.

Jennings is the former political director for Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and is now the White House's deputy director of political affairs under Karl Rove.

E-mail messages handed over to a congressional committee show Jennings used a Republican National Committee e-mail address to discuss the firings with aides to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Also look for Taylor to be questioned into how David Huber, Mitch McConnell's good friend who was originally on the list of U.S. Attorneys to be fired, was magically removed:

The top federal prosecutor for Louisville and western Kentucky was on an initial list of prosecutors recommended for removal from office.

David Huber, the U.S. attorney in Louisville since 2003 and former general counsel to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, was one of 13 prosecutors whose name was sent by the Justice Department to the White House on Feb. 24, 2005, with a recommendation that they be replaced. Seven of the 13 either resigned or were fired...

The memo sent by D. Kyle Sampson, then the chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, did not list reasons why the various prosecutors were listed.

The big question is: Did either Taylor or Jennings violate federal laws by using an RNC email account to discuss David Huber's status with Mitch McConnell?

Congressman Rohrabacher Furious With Bush And McConnell Over Immigration

The great conservative Representative from California, Dana Rohrabacher, is furious at George W. Bush for pushing the Kennedy/McConnell Amnesty Bill For Illegal Immigrants:

The president and the congressman happened to be at the same Victims of Communism Memorial Dedication ceremony, where they both shared the stage. When Rohrabacher was finished speaking, he took his seat, right next to Bush.
(We hear there was some maneuvering that took place backstage regarding the
two as well.)

Bush turned to Rohrabacher: “You know,” he said, “your congressional pin is on crooked.”

Rohrabacher doesn’t miss a beat and replied, we imagine coldly: “That’s what happens when you have a stronger right wing.”

Right Wing News Blasts Mitch McConnell Over Immigration

Mitch McConnell is clearly shaking in his boots as he turns his back on conservatives once again. The insightful writers over at Right Wing News point out how detrimental the Teddy Kennedy/Mitch McConnell Amnesty Bill truly is to the Republican Party:

If Jimmy Carter were the Republican President in the White House and Harry Reid was the Senate minority leader for the Republican Party, they couldn't come up with a plan that would do more damage to the Republican Party than the one that is being implemented right now by George Bush and Mitch McConnell...

Never has a political party given up so much at such great cost to get so little in return. I guess we should just be thankful at this point that Harry Reid hasn't offered to trade Senate seats for "magic beans," because if he had, there would be 100 Democrats in the Senate while George Bush and Mitch McConnell would be sitting in the rose garden waiting for the first magic beanstalk to pop up.

Courier-Journal: More Talk Of Republican Primary Challenge To Mitch McConnell

The Courier-Journal editorial page ran a persuasive letter today urging a strong conservative primary challenge to Mitch mcConnell. While the writer would be better suited to tout Larry Forgy than McConnell's fellow Louisville liberal Anne Northup, who failed numerous times to support for prayer in our schools, this excerpt is intriguing:

The problem of illegal immigrants

McConnell's 'disregard'

Sen. Mitch McConnell once again demonstrated his disregard for his supporters (some now former supporters) in the recent consideration of rewarding illegal behavior (aka, immigration reform).

Perhaps The Courier-Journal can convince Anne Northup to challenge McConnell in next year's Republican primary. If not, I hope someone with conservative values will challenge him.

Perhaps a Republican who runs a good statewide campaign this year could make a good challenger for McConnell next year.

Republicans Will Need A Strong Conservative Nominee If Mitch McConnell Goes Down In US Attorney Scandal

As Larry Forgy continues to travel the Commonwealth to campaign for our soon to be two-term Governor Ernie Fletcher and lay the groundwork for a Senate campaign, keep in mind that Mitch McConnell could soon be knocking on Forgy's door for some legal advice. McConnell is currently scrambling to find any way to keep Alberto Gonzalez as Attorney General, in what many believe is a desperate attempt to avoid a future Attorney General that could investigate what role McConnell may have played in the US Attorney Scandal. Remember that Mitch McConnell's close friend David Huber was on the initial list of firings:

The top federal prosecutor for Louisville and western Kentucky was on an initial list of prosecutors recommended for removal from office.

David Huber, the U.S. attorney in Louisville since 2003 and former general counsel to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, was one of 13 prosecutors whose name was sent by the Justice Department to the White House on Feb. 24, 2005, with a recommendation that they be replaced. Seven of the 13 either resigned or were fired...

The memo sent by D. Kyle Sampson, then the chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, did not list reasons why the various prosecutors were listed.

You may also recall the role that former McConnell Political Director J. Scott Jennings played in the scandal. Now ask yourself, what happens when McConnell and Jennings are forced to testify whether they had any role in helping Huber keep his job while other U.S. Attorneys were fired for political reasons?

J. Scott Jennings, a political operative from Dawson Springs who has emerged as a key player in the growing maelstrom over the firings of eight U.S. attorneys allegedly for political reasons, was back in the national news last week.

Jennings is the former political director for Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and is now the White House's deputy director of political affairs under Karl Rove.

E-mail messages handed over to a congressional committee show Jennings used a Republican National Committee e-mail address to discuss the firings with aides to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Sounds like its about time to subpoena those RNC emails from J. Scott Jennings to see if any of them were sent to Mitch McConnell or any of his other Louisville liberal cronies.

Courier-Journal: Larry Forgy Leaves Door Open To Challenge Mitch McConnell

A huge development this morning in the 2008 Senate race: Larry Forgy once left the door open for a 2008 Senate campaign and implied that he could mount a successful challenge to the Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell for the Republican nomination:

A Web site urging former Republican gubernatorial nominee Larry Forgy to challenge U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in the 2008 primary popped up about a week before last month's gubernatorial primary.

The site, www.draftforgy.com, criticizes McConnell on everything from his position on immigration policy to his two-year silence on whether Gov. Ernie Fletcher should be nominated for a second term. McConnell finally backed Fletcher on election night, after it was clear the governor had won the primary...

n a recent interview, Forgy stopped short of saying he wouldn't run. But he said he believes that McConnell will help Fletcher's re-election effort. And if he does, Forgy said, McConnell shouldn't expect a challenger next May.

But Forgy points out that in 1991 he ran a strong race in the gubernatorial primary against then-U.S. Rep. Larry Hopkins on the cheap -- implying he could be a threat if he challenged the Senate minority leader.

Governor's Race Turning Into "Tour de Forgy"

The Courier-Journal's political columnist Al Cross wrote Sunday that observers are noting that the 2007 election is turning into a revival of Larry Forgy's political career. It appears the architect of Governor Fletcher's comeback is not touring the state in preparation for a 2008 US Senate challenge to Mitch McConnell. Of course, there would be no need for a comeback if it weren't for the actions of Benedict McConnell and his Louisville liberal cronies. However, the straight talk of a true conservative is back in the Commonwealth:

Monday night, an even more outspoken Fletcher supporter tried to get the
campaign back on message. KET's "Kentucky Tonight" invited Larry Forgy, the GOP gubernatorial nominee 12 years ago, to fill a Republican seat on a political panel that included Democrat Brereton Jones, governor in 1991-95.

As one Capitol wag said, it was a "tour de Forgy," as he resurrected
the plainspoken, populist, moralistic rhetoric of his 1991 and 1995 campaigns
and dominated the show (which you can video-stream at www.KET.org). He sparred wittily with Jones and callers, and blamed Beshear for taking "the Ten Commandments off the school walls" as attorney general, when Beshear simply told officials they had to obey the U.S. Supreme Court.

Forgy's emphasis was on Beshear's support for a constitutional amendment to allow casinos. "It hurts the little people and helps the rich people," he said, predicting that a casino bill would lead a corruptible legislature to allow "slot machines in every convenience store and truck stop in this state."

New Media Director Abandons Mitch McConnell For Thompson Campaign

Mitch McConnell received more drastic news this week as his inner circle remains in disarray. The latest is that his internet strategist has decided to leave him after the conservative blogosphere in Kentucky has embraced Governor Ernie Fletcher and Larry Forgy over the Louisville liberal and his cronies Anne Northup and Ted Jackson, and the leading national Republican blogs have now openly turned on McConnell:

The launch of Fred Thompson's website last night was welcome news for his legions of online supporters. Now comes word that Jon Henke, the newest hire at New Media Strategies, will be working on Thompson's account for the firm. The Henke hire is a major coup for New Media Strategies, which wanted someone of Henke's stature to manage Thompson's online operation…

Earlier this year, Henke came to Washington to work for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.-Ky.) as his new-media director. It was a surprising move for the traditional McConnell, but it paid many dividends.

Poll Of Leading National GOP Bloggers Calls For Mitch McConnell's Resignation If Immigration Bill Passes

Right Wing News completed a poll of 51 leading national conservative blogs, and found that a majority believe that Mitch McConnell does not belong in the Republican Senate leadership if the Louisville liberal helps Ted Kennedy pass his immigration reform bill:

3) Do you think it would be appropriate for the Republican leaders in
the Senate, Mitch McConnell and Trent Lott, to resign their leadership
positions if this bill passes?

Yes: 28 (56%)
No: 22 (44%)

4) Mitch McConnell said the following about the immigration bill in
the Senate, "I don't think there's a single member of either party
next year who is going to fail to be re-elected over this issue." Do
you think he's right?

Yes: 4 (8%)
No: 45 (92%)

Right In Kentucky Petitions Against Mitch McConnell's Amnesty Bill

One of the Commonwealth's leading conservative blogs is petitioning Mitch McConnell to oppose Ted Kennedy's Amnesty Bill. Unfortunately, Mitch McConnell seems to be ignoring the wishes of Kentucky's conservatives once again. But you can send him your concerns:

Right in Kentucky

Lexington Herald Leader Column Examines Mitch McConnell's Hypocrisy In Undermining Governor Fletcher

Larry Dale Keeling penned a very important column in yesterday's Lexington Herald Leader that discussed Mitch McConnell's hypocrisy in praising Governor Fletcher after McConnell promoted his fellow Louisville liberal Anne Northup's primary challenge. Keeling writes that McConnell refused to praise Fletcher's job performance while commending Northup's candidacy, and is not running to Fletcher because of his own 2008 reelection concerns:

Asked at the same time if his lack of endorsement in the governor's race could be interpreted as a slap at Fletcher, McConnell responded, "You can draw whatever conclusion you want to."...

But now that Fletcher has won the primary, McConnell proclaims, "I've never met a finer man than our governor, Ernie Fletcher."

Gee, do you think anyone would be cynical enough to wonder whether McConnell was speaking from the heart?

Surely, the restoration of those two banished words to his public vocabulary -- and in such glowing fashion -- couldn't have anything to do with his own desire for re-election in 2008, a desire that might be more easily fulfilled with a Republican in the Governor's Mansion and a united party behind him.

The Hill: NRSC Acknowledges Party Divisions Caused By Mitch McConnell

As if it were not enough for Mitch McConnell to divide the Kentucky Republican Party, the National Republican Senatorial Committee now admits Mitch McConnell has thrown the national Republican Party into turmoil:

NRSC Chairman John Ensign (Nev.) talked to ABC News about the immigration discussion last week, but it is no longer accessible on the site, and it is unclear when it will launch or what shape it will take.

The summaries included videos of Republican senators disagreeing on the issues, pitting Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) against colleague Jim DeMint (S.C.) in one case...

DeMint has been a top critic of the bill, which he calls “amnesty.” McConnell has been an advocate for a compromise.

The issue has been a hot potato for the GOP in recent weeks. It has driven a wedge through its 49 members and disturbed a segment of its base, potentially causing fundraising trouble for a committee already trailing its Democratic counterpart by a 2-to-1 margin.

McConnell and other Republicans have drawn heat and, in some cases, boos from their constituents when talking about the bill.

Encourage Larry Forgy To Challenge Mitch McConnell On "Kentucky Tonight"

Former Supreme Court Judge and Republican Governor Nominee Larry Forgy will take on Former Democratic Governor Brereton Jones on "Kentucky Tonight," and conservative activists can take this opportunity to encourage Larry Forgy to challenge the Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell. With the National Journal reporting Forgy is close to entering the race, and McConnell's cronies attacking Forgy at the "unity rally," the momentum is building! Be sure to call in!

Scheduled guests with host Bill Goodman are former Democratic Gov. Brereton Jones; Jennifer Moore, vice chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party; former Republican gubernatorial nominee Larry Forgy; and Gail Russell, national committeewoman for the state Republican Party.

Viewers with questions and comments can participate in the live broadcast by telephone at 1-800-494-7605.

The show will air live at 8 p.m. on KET1.

Washington Times: McConnell Is Once Again Being A Hypocrite On Immigration Reform

The Washington Times featured a story today on Mitch McConnell's hypocrisy over immigration reform as the debate comes to the Senate floor this week. Once again, McConnell tries to take both sides of the issue while saying one thing in Kentucky and doing another in Washington:

The fate of the immigration bill comes down to Senate Republicans' leader, Mitch McConnell, and whether he sides with President Bush and Democratic leaders or with rank-and-file members of his own party.

His choices: Accept Democrats' demands to finish the bill this week without major changes, or rally with his Republicans who say the bill is bad and getting worse, and want more time to fight the proposal...

Mr. McConnell, Kentucky Republican, has been on both sides of the immigration issue. He voted for last year's bill and has said this year's version is even better, but he also voted last week to strip out the central plank of the bargain: the legalization program for illegal aliens.

Republicans use words like "confusion" to describe their party's approach, and said that has hurt their efforts to change or defeat the bill. They also say Mr. McConnell and Mr. Bush have given up the best bargaining chip by making it clear they have to have a bill.

Courier-Journal Letters Hammer Mitch McConnell

It is letters like these that give us hope the Club for Growth will continue their great work in the aftermath of close primary losses to Arlen Specter and Lincoln Chafee, in what could be a huge win for Larry Forgy and the Conservative movement:

Sen. Mitch McConnell has resolutely ignored the wishes of Kentucky voters and has supported amnesty for illegal immigrants at every possible opportunity.

He has ignored the loss of employment opportunities for the most vulnerable members of our population, the overwhelming burden placed on our public health and public education systems by illegals, and the threat to national security...

McConnell needs a swift kick in the seat of those expensive pants that Kentucky voters bought for him and we should give it to him next election day.

McConnell supports amnesty for illegals. Remember and vote the scoundrel out.

Nice Try, Mitch

This week saw the latest chapter in the long history of Mitch McConnell's saying one thing and doing another. Sorry Mitch, but we already know how you undermined Steve Robertson's GOTV efforts during Alice Forgy Kerr's campaign. This time, we will not believe your claim to support Robertson when you refused to commit to supporting Governor Fletcher's decision to name him chairman any longer than November. Spare us, if you support him then make the commitment. Heck, its only until the Senate primary and then we know he can remain chairman since our nominee since Larry Forgy will leave him in place:

It's unclear if he will continue to serve as chairman after the November
election or if U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is up for re-election in 2008,
will install his own person.

Larry Cox, McConnell's state director, said the senator supports
Fletcher's choice of Robertson. But he said the question of whether he would
remain in the job is still being discussed.

Cincy Post Slams Mitch McConnell For Disloyalty To Kentucky Republicans

The editorial board at the Cincinnati Post issued a strong rebuke to Mitch McConnell this morning as it appears Larry Forgy is gearing up to defeat McConnell in the Republican primary:

A few short weeks ago, McConnell would clam up and offer a terse "no
comment'' at the mention of Fletcher's name. But at the rally last Saturday,
McConnell declared that he'd "never met a finer man'' than his fellow
Republican.

What's more, McConnell proclaimed himself proud of Fletcher, First Lady
Glenna Fletcher and "the image they present for our state.''

Oh, really? You certainly could have fooled anyone who has watched
McConnell flick away questions about Fletcher's legal problems and
re-electability as if they were bird droppings landing with an unpleasant
splat.

Simply appearing at a "unity rally" is not going to save Mitch McConnell. Not when he is the reason for the Party's splinter. Not after he failed to listen to the wisdom of Larry Forgy, who told him not to stab Governor Fletcher in the back. Not after he ordered his fellow Louisville liberals Anne Northup and Ted Jackson to stay home or go fishing, so the Governor's chances would suffer while he tried to save face for his 2008 Senate primary.