Senate insiders handicap the race to replace McConnell

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Senate insiders handicap the race to replace McConnell

By Conn Carroll
February 29, 2024 11:15 am

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced his intention to step down from Senate Republican leadership Wednesday, and less than 24 hours later, the race to replace him has already begun.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) issued a statement Thursday morning asking his Republican colleagues to give him the opportunity to succeed McConnell, and he is not the only John expected to enter the race.

Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and John Barrasso (R-WY) are also expected to join the running, and it is possible there may be some other dark horse candidates as well.

As minority whip, Thune is nominally next in line, although Cornyn held that position for six years before him. Barrasso serves as the conference chairman, which is the leadership position directly below the whip.

I asked some current and former Republican senate aides to handicap the race to replace McConnell, and here is what some of them said.

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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/2895764/senate-insiders-handicap-race-replace-mcconnell/

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FTA:

“I believe the Senate is broken,” Cornyn said in his statement announcing his candidacy. ” … We will improve communication, increase transparency, and ensure inclusion of every Member’s expertise and opinion. We will restore the important role of Senate committees and reestablish the regular appropriations process, rather than lurch from one crisis to another. And we will return power back to our members; there will be no more backroom deals or forced votes on bills without adequate time for review, debate, and amendment.”

That last promise, no backroom deals forced on members without time for debate and amendment, will be a key one.

   Sen. Cornyn you'll say anything to get elected.

[Bigun]

NO! no! and no!