Consider This from NPR McConnell Releases His Grip On Power
Feb 29, 2024
Michael Tackett, a journalist and author known for his work on Mitch McConnell's biography, dives into the senator's complex legacy as he steps back from Republican leadership. They discuss McConnell’s extensive career, his humorous take on critics, and how he shaped the party's current ideology. Tackett highlights the stark transformation of the Republican Party from Reagan’s time to today's landscape, influenced heavily by Trump. The conversation wraps up with speculation on McConnell's future role and the potential successors navigating party dynamics.
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McConnell's Thesis
- Mitch McConnell's college thesis focused on Senator Henry Clay's role in the Compromise of 1850.
- This sparked McConnell's interest in becoming a prominent Kentucky senator.
McConnell's Price of Power
- Mitch McConnell paid a price for power: low popularity and scorn from Donald Trump.
- He also faced a combative right flank within the Senate.
McConnell's Election Success
- Despite low approval ratings, McConnell consistently wins Kentucky elections.
- He effectively delivers for his constituents, even if they dislike him personally.
