Gerth: Conservatives Not Pleased With McConnell

Joe Gerth, one of the state's leading political reporters, wrote today in the Courier-Journal of the growing unrest among the conservative base here in the Commonwealth:

Conservative columnist Robert Novak had some harsh words for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., last week after McConnell's performance in the debate over the immigration reform bill.

McConnell had pushed for the bill as part of his duties as the Republican leader in the Senate. But when the bill finally came up for a vote, McConnell didn't take part as the debate neared its climax and then voted against the measure, which he earlier had said was better than one he supported last year.

One unnamed senator told Novak, "If this were a war, Sen. McConnell should be relieved of command for dereliction of duty."

Said Novak: "Until now, McConnell had high marks from GOP colleagues during his six-month leadership following four dreary years under Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). McConnell's non-performance on immigration derived from general Republican malaise going well beyond a single issue."

Once again, its time for Larry Forgy to enter the race. He already gave McConnell another chance to deliver for Governor Fletcher, and McConnell refused to give even a line of support for Governor in his speeches around the state last week.