Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who is resigning as Senate minority leader in November but intends to finish out his term, may find it difficult to get his nominees confirmed under that scenario, which could make Biden’s second term difficult.
According to reports, Democratic strategists have given up on keeping Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate who is not running for reelection in West Virginia, a very Republican state. They also understand that it could be difficult to hold onto Democratic-held seats in Montana and Ohio.
However, McConnell is cautioning fellow Republicans not to “get too excited” about their prospects of changing the Senate, according to Burgess Everett of Politico.
“The minority leader is clearly wary of his party overextending itself despite the advantageous conditions after the twin debacles of 2020 and 2022, when former President Donald Trump’s embrace of flawed GOP nominees contributed to surprising Democratic wins,” Everette explains in a piece that appeared on May 2. “Democrats gained a seat in the midterm elections, contrary to former Senate GOP campaign leader Rick Scott’s (R-Fla.) prediction that the party would win up to 55 seats. Republicans may thus fight in eight states, although McConnell said in an interview that he is now concentrating on four of them.”
Everett continues, “Even from the doorstep of his exit from leadership, the Kentucky Republican is delivering a subtle splash of cold water to Republicans eager for a Senate romp.”
McConnell expressed his worries about the “quality” of GOP Senate candidates during the 2022 midterm elections, and he reiterated same reservations around 2024.
Everett claims that McConnell is taking care not to undervalue Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, a Democrat from New York.
Politico quoted McConnell as saying, “It is important not to get too excited because it is noteworthy that not a single incumbent lost in the last cycle.” What then is the lesson? Qualities of the candidate.”
The minority leader in the Senate went on, “It is critical to keep stating that you support 51. Getting more is fine, but 51 gives you the upper hand. And regardless of the next president, I believe that will be very significant.”