http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/194588-mcconnell-files-for-reelection-emphasizes-tea-party-tiesJanuary 07, 2014, 08:40 am
McConnell emphasizes Tea Party ties in filing for reelection
By Alexandra Jaffe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1m43oPgrMSen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sought to emphasize his Tea Party ties Monday by signing papers to file for reelection with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
In a video released Tuesday, McConnell is shown signing his filing papers with Paul and Agriculture Commissioner Jaime Comer (R), who are both Tea Party favorites in Kentucky.
McConnell — long a target of grassroots conservatives — is facing a primary challenge from businessman Matt Bevin, who has already won the backing of some prominent national conservative groups.
The incumbent has been working to shore up support on his right flank for months. He won Paul's endorsement, and has emphasized conservative causes, like the Balanced Budget Amendment. He voted against a two-year budget deal approved by Congress last month.
In the filing video, titled “United,” Paul touts McConnell's work as GOP leader in the Senate.
“What he has done, and what allows him to be the most powerful Republican up there is that he can pull people together,” Paul says, “United on ObamaCare. United for a Balanced Budget Amendment.”
Paul’s comments answer another attack McConnell is facing from his left flank, where he’s up against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes — that his leadership abilities have waned and his seniority in the Senate has made him simply out of touch with Kentucky.
