term--war. It is not a war. In a congressionally-declared war, we would have roughly half a million troops on the ground maintaining the peace. We neither have these troops, nor are we likely to get them.

The only sane alternative to the ongoing slaughter is to pull the troops out of harms way as quickly as possible.

We have an administration, a congress(both houses), and a Supreme Court that have abdicated their responsibilities under the Constitution.

A mind once expanded can never return to its original dimensions.

Anne Hathaway: 1556-1623

The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so.

Louis Pasteur

I agree with your assessment of this "war". That is why I tried to use the quotation marks every time I used the term war, or war on terror. I do not believe Iraq should have been part of the "war on terror". We should have went in to Afganistan, picked up Osama, and already be home. We didn't finish the "war" we should've won!!!! Now I hear on the news this morning that the Taliban were actually able to mount an offensive in Afganistan. This Administration and its "war" are a disgrace!!!!

in the border country of Pakistan where they fit in very nicely.

You"do not 'believe'Iraq should have been a part of the 'war on terror."

Believe is a very weak word. What you could have said is...Iraq was no threat to us and should not have been attacked. This is stronger...and yes...English is a powerful language when used as it is supposed to be used.

The terms I think, I believe, we coulda, shoulda, woulda are worthless. Our elected reps use them all the time. Of course, most of our so-called leaders are nothing but spineless wimps. Compare the language use of Cynthia McKinney, Sheila Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters to any of their male counterparts and one begins to wonder how the males ever got themselves elected to anything. Kerry and Gore included.

Point is, the proper use of our language counts.

A mind once expanded can never return to its original dimensions.

Anne Hathaway: 1556-1623

The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so.

Louis Pasteur

http://www.comcast.net/news/politics/index.jsp?cat=POLITICS&fn=/2006/06/...

It appears Jim knows what is going on. So "Boss" McConnell and his group of sniveling little hypocrites allowed Bush to run up the debt. Now instead of asking the wealthy to help foot the bill, they plan on an across the board slashing of all federal programs, meaning that once again in the Republican mindset, the poor and helpless must foot the bill for for a bunch of rich, selfish and self-centered hypocrites. All so these irresponsible and incompetent Repug Senators can look "Conservative". What a disgrace. It would be a joke, but since it is true it is not funny. So to "Boss" McConnell I say, you and your little band of selfish, childish trolls are complete failures. You can't come up at the last minute and change your colors. You created this mess, and you should sacrifice. Anything else is un-American!!!

The Senate will now take up the line-item veto once again. I am not that positive on whether the line- item veto would be a good thing or not, but I know that right now the giving of more power to the most insensitive, incompetent at least in my lifetime is dangerous, and ill-advised. I wrote my "Boss" McConnell and Jim "out there like Pluto" Bunning and let them know I was opposed. Here is a copy of the e-mail, and I hope to post the response.

I am writing as a contituent to oppose giving the power of the line-item veto to President Bush. First, the line-item veto was already given to President Clinton, and was struck down by the Supreme Court. Second, with the total incompetence shown by this Administration with regards to failing to heed the warnings before 9-11, failure to capture the true architect of 9-11 Osama Bin Laden, to using failed intelligence in Iraq, failure to go into Iraq with any sort of plan after Saddam fell, failure to adequately arm and equip our soldiers, and complete and dismal failure in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the failure of this Administration to cast a single veto, I think it is dangerous to give any more power to such an incompetent Administration. Added to this the fact that this Administration is already trying to seize more and more power not granted it by the Constitution to ignore the privacy and civil rights of Americans, by spying without warrants on everything from phone calls to financial records. Now I see in the news how when President Bush signs a bill from Congress, he writes notes on the bottom of it saying essentially he doesn't have to follow the law if he doesn't want to. I would say that it is past time for this Congress to stand up and hold President Bush accountable to the truth, and the law. It is disgusting to see the Legislative Branch constantly abstaining from its duty, by rubber-stamping any idea or plan that comes from the White House, no matter how ridiculous.
I also want to let you know that I heard the Senate was reviving the repeal of the Rich Brat Tax, that failed a couple of weeks ago. With our deficit, and all the hundreds of billions of dollars that the Republicans in Congress have lavished on the rich and Corporations in the last six years, I oppose the Repeal of the Rich Brat tax, which I believe you call the Death Tax.

Thank you,

Of course I already know how these men will vote. They are dedicated members of the Culture of Corruption in Kentucky. They worship Bush and never miss an opportunity to plant tulips when he is around or says something. Their Party and their prescense has made my state of Kentucky almost completely reliant on low-paying, no benefit, service type jobs. All real industry has been run off except in the populous Nothern Triangle (the area between Cincy, Louisville, and Lexington). Under the watch of "Boss" McConnell and his little band of self-righteous thugs including Bunning, Whitfield, Ron Lewis, and the members of Kentucky's elitist Republican party, they gutted this state!!! They keep hours long, wages low, and benefits off the table. They open a McDonald's next to where General Tire moved off. All the while they tell you times are great. The young must move away if they have higher aspirations than being store manager at Burger King or working in the Construction industry.
The Western Kentucky I grew up in, created by REAL public servants such as Alben Barkley, Julian Carroll, Wendell Ford, and Carroll Hubbard is long gone!!!! Western Kentuckians should be working to build and craft products to sell and trade with the rest of the nation and the world. Our people deserve more than a service economy, we can be a contributor in many industries, and could spearhead the transition to alternative fuels derived from crops, along with all our surrounding states. (Sighs) You read about the "Era of Good Feelings" in the history books, during the Madison and Monroe Administrations. Boy that sure was a REALLY long time ago......

McConnell Admits GOP Knew About Casey's Redeployment Proposal, Even As They Blasted Democrats' Similar Plan

See if you can follow along with the "conservative" version of logic.
It is hard when there is no bouncing ball to guide you ;)

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." ~ Sinclair Lewis

In a time of deception telling the truth is a revolutionary act. ~ George Orwell

That is a great story and it shows exactly what we are dealing with with these people. Man, I hope a good candidate shows up to run against McConnell in 08!!!!! It is so discouraging to have such a person representing you in the Senate. I guess that is why I started this, I wanted to fire the first few shots against McConnell's bow for 08. Hey, thanks for the huge cannonball!!!!

I dug up my group ratings I had gotten to use against Ed Whitfield from the Alliance for Retired Americans. It seems like Mr. McConnell led his little Republican flock of greedy trolls in voting against the interests of Retired Americans. It appears that Mr. McConnell voted with our nation's seniors 0% of the time in 2005. Now I keep talking about "Boss" McConnell, and his sniveling band of greedy trolls, lets look how Kentucky's Congressional delegation fell in behind their "Boss" in voting against America's seniors. Here is the ratings for Kentucky's Congressional delegation:

2005 Lifetime
Mitch McConnell 0% 6%
Jim Bunning 0% 6%
Geoff Davis 0% 0%
Hal Rogers 0% 0%
Ron Lewis 0% 2%
Ann Northup 0% 4%
Ed Whitfield 0% 4%

So you see how crap runs downhill. To "Boss" McConnell to his dedicated little band of disciples, GREED IS THE CREED!!!!!

The post to the link above by Di has set and stewed for a minute. This General comes out with a plan that strongly resembles the moderate plan set forth by Democrats in the Senate. "Boss" McConnell, because of the arrogance and short-sightedness, the selfish idealism and total idiocy and failure to lead of his party, refuses to even consider the Democratic plan, and even insults it as cowardice. This paragraph is particullarly annoying:
Furthermore, McConnell said that Republican lawmakers were aware of Casey's plan before voting against the Levin-Reed proposal. In other words, even though Republicans knew a similar plan was being hatched by Gen. Casey, they nonetheless took the partisan and immature route -- substituting name-calling for reasonable debate.

Now, (sighs) This man KNEW that General Casey had a plan very similar to the one that Levin and Reed had proposed. Yet he still RIDICULES it as cowardicde to the American people, and votes against it? What in the hell are these people doing in the name of our country? This is the hallowed halls of the United States Senate for crying out loud!!! It is demeaning and downright disrespectful for "Boss" McConnell, and lets now call them his drooling pack of wolves, to insult the American people, and insult the institutions of American Government by turning them into a playground, where fat little freckled faced bullies enforce their own greedy little brand of "justice". But honestly, I have seen ten year old kids who could lead the Senate a lot better than "Boss" McConnell and his foul little band of brats. We need a government that listenes to input from all sides and hammers out the best course. These Republicans have failed!!!

Talked with Karin and I believe Cheryl in another node recently about a fine organization called the Disabled American Veterans. I took the liberties to look up "Boss" McConnell's voting scores with this organization. Really the only surprise was that he actually voted with that organization a whopping 33% of the time in 2005. Truer to form, his 2004 score was zero. It seems "Boss" McConnell has no problem allowing the BA to send these guys into war with no plan, or the proper equipment, but when they are mangled in war serving their country honorably, McConnell and his Republican offshoots in the Senate easily forget that if they wouldn't have shirked their Constitutional duty, and offered some oversight, instead of a rubber-stamp for their incompetent leader, there might not be near as many injured young people coming home. No matter what anyone may feel about this war, as Americans anyone who has served honorably and followed orders and recieved serious injuries should be some of the people we take care of first!!!! They aren't shoved somewhere behind the Oil Industry, the Insurance lobby, or the Bush Administrations wants and needs. Our disabled veterans deserve the respect of not only our people, but the disgraceful Republican leadership in the Senate including "Boss" McConnell.

The court ruling on Gitmo. Here is a link to the story:

http://www.comcast.net/news/politics/index.jsp?cat=POLITICS&fn=/2006/06/...

Now here is "Boss" McConnell's release on the subject:

Statement Of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell On U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Hamdan Case
from the Office of Senator Mitch McConnell

Thursday, June 29, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell released the following statement today on the U.S. Supreme Court decision on terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay:

“The terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay are not ordinary criminals. They are some of the most dangerous people in the world who are committed to murdering Americans. The Congress will work with the Administration to develop the appropriate procedures to ensure that these terrorists are brought to justice in a way that does not endanger our national security.

Notice the last two words. That is the catch phrase. Already on Conservative radio you hear them plotting on Bush and his rubber-stamp Congress trying to circumvent the court's decision. They will do it in the name of "national security" and the "War on Terror". These people nominate this court, and even it finds them wrong, and now they don't want to accept it. We'll have to watch this closely, but my guess is once again "Boss" McConnell and the Republicans in the Congress, when the Bush Administration comes to them with something, will be lining up to brownnose.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13615446/

This is McConnell's exact words on Meet The Press last Sunday on July 2, 2006. His NeoCON lies speak volumes of PNAC lockstep rhetoric:

"SEN. McCONNELL: Well, certainly the, the taking of Iraq was what is expected. The aftermath has been much more difficult. And I think it’s gone—the fact that it’s gone on a while creates the kind of debates the Democrats are having among themselves over whether we get out by the end of the year or get out by next summer or begin to get out at some point. And people do become impatient.

But it’s important to remember, Andrea, the most important thing. We haven’t been attacked again here since 9/11. We’ve been on offense. We’ve invaded Afghanistan, invaded Iraq, there are democratic governments now in both places. Is it easy there? No, it isn’t. But these are the same kinds of people who attacked us here in the United States. They’ve not been able to do that again because the president made the fundamentally correct decision to get on offense, and we’ve gone after these people where they are, somewhere else, fighting them in places like Kabul and Baghdad so we don’t have to have them again in Washington and New York. I think that’s been a fundamentally sound decision and I think we’re succeeding."

To the story above:

http://www.comcast.net/news/politics/?lid=LftNav_news-politics

I agree wholeheartedly with the post above. Of course, "Boss" McConnell has got to defend the misguided policies of this Administration, he and his dedicated band of sniveling trolls rubber-stamped it!!!!!! He can't tell the people of Kentucky or the nation that he and his party in Congress FAILED miserably in providing Congressional oversight into the Iraq war!!! They were too busy planting tulips on Bush's butt!!!! I would also like to talk briefly about his take on the Supreme Court decision. Now we all know McConnell and his self-righteous flock all salivated over the prospects of a Conservative Supreme Court. They finally got their wish with Roberts and Alito nominated to go with crackpot Scalia. Now, even a Conservative Supreme Court can't uphold Bush's illegal activities. So what does McConnell and his disciples do? Instead of trying to work and find a solution the Supreme Court can live with, they smear their own court!!!!! All over right wing radio, we hear those facist loons crying about how disgraceful this court is. Now, McConnell wants to use some ruse of "protecting the troops" to try and circumvent the Supreme Court. Where was all this concern for the troops when they were sent to Iraq on a lie, with no plan, and without the proper equipment when all of it could have been remedied with a little Congressional oversight, which just so happens to be their duty. So to "Boss" McConnell and his band of crybabys, it is time to realize YOUR court ruled against you, accept the law instead of kissing your god-king's butt!!!!!!

Submarine   USS Wahoo  ss238

Senator Schumer was awesome on Meet the Press, he made
McConnell look like an idiot, it isnt hard to do anyway.

Mitch McConnell for Kentucky Senate...."When inbreeding is not good enough."

When he said, "But these are the same kinds of people who attacked us here in the United States", I just about barfed in disgust. We are not supposed to kill people just because they are the same KINDS of people who attacked us... we are supposed to be a civilized nation enough to go after the ACTUAL ATTACKERS (namely OBL), not just people who happen to look like them in another country!

They can't admit that they FAILED to provide Congressional oversight!!!! They have no choice but to follow blindly now.

I borrowed from bluegrassreport.org. It shows some Kentucky leaders recent poll numbers the first number is the approval rating in Aug. 05, and the second is the rating from May 06:

1. Ed Whitfield 65% 55%
2. Ron Lewis 51% 36%
3. Ann Northup 60% 48%
4. Geoff Davis 44% 34%
5. "Boss" McConnell 55% 48%
6. "Screwball" Bunning 34% 36%

Although he remains well above 50%, I must proudly point out that in the time we pounded Whitfield in the Primary, his approval fell ten points. I know a lot of it was with a national tide, but I hope our message at least caused some of it. As for the rest of "Boss" McConnell's little band of tulip planters, some of them look to be in serious trouble. Even the "Boss" has fallen below 50%. Lewis and Davis look particularly vulnerable. Ann Northup has seen her popularity take a big hit at the wrong time also. That is a seat people have long said was vulnerable. I guess people are finally seeing through the "Boss" and his sniveling band of heelers.

It is no big secret that many people, including a large percentage of Progressives, believe that our government is bought and paid for by Corporate America. No matter what the political affiliation, many Americans honestly wish we could hammer out some kind of Campaign Finance Reform Legislation. From the beginning "Boss" McConnell has opposed such legislation. He opposed the McCain-Feingold bill, because it took away our "First Amendment Rights". What a laugh. Here is an article about the true nature of his opposition to Campaign Finance Reform. Notice his buddy, our old pal Trent Lott:

Oct. 15, 1999

Campaign Finance Reform Foes Lott and McConnell Delivered for Republican Soft Money Donors in 1998-99

McConnell's Challenge to Reformers to Prove "Who is corrupted?" Answered; New Report Reveals Senate Republican Leaders' Legislative Favors for
Managed Care, Casino Gambling, Tobacco Interests

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new Public Citizen report -- Delivering for Dollars -- documents how Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Senate campaign committee chief Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have worked legislatively over the past two years with great success on behalf of three major industries -- managed care, casino gambling and tobacco. At the same time the report documents how all three industries have donated huge amounts of soft money to Republican Party fund-raising committees that Lott and McConnell were deeply involved with and benefited from.

As the U.S. Senate debates campaign finance reform, only Lott and McConnell, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), stand in the way of enacting a ban on soft money. They are poised to lead their fourth minority filibuster in two years against the McCain-Feingold bill (S. 1593), which would ban soft money -- those unlimited contributions to political parties from corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals.

Delivering for Dollars illustrates in very concrete terms why Lott and McConnell so vigorously oppose this legislation. The report answers the basic question posed by McConnell Thursday in the Senate floor debate on the McCain-Feingold bill: "Who is corrupted?" Among the report's findings are:

* Since 1995, the three national Republican fund-raising committees raked in $30 million in soft money from managed care, casino gambling and tobacco interests while Democratic committees collected $11 million. With significant help from Lott and McConnell, soft money given to the Republicans by the managed care industry rose from $5.4 million to $6.1 million between the 1995-96 election cycle and the 1997-98 cycle, while soft money from casino interests increased from $1.8 million to $2.4 million.

* Soft money contributions to the NRSC from two of these industry groups rose even faster between the 1996 and 1998 election cycles -- from $1.1 million to $1.8 million for managed care and from $440,000 to $1.3 million for casinos. Tobacco industry soft money contributions, while still high, declined between the two election cycles from $1.7 million in 1996 to $1.1 million in 1998 -- a normal occurrence as fund-raising in presidential elections is considerably higher.

* Beginning in late 1997, Lott was the key Senate Republican working closely with managed care, insurance and employer organizations that were resisting new "patients' rights" mandates. Lott encouraged these groups to lobby Congress, orchestrated the development of a weak Senate Republican patients' rights bill and mobilized almost unanimous Republican support in key votes in October 1998 and July 1999.

* In the spring of 1998, working with the American Gaming Association (AGA), the casino gambling lobby, Lott and McConnell prevented Senate debate on an amendment by Sen. Dan Coats that would have eliminated a federal tax deduction for gambling losses. Lott also played the central role in passage by Congress, without debate, of a $316 million tax break for the casino industry supported by the AGA. In November 1997, Lott and McConnell flew to Las Vegas aboard Mirage Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn's corporate jet for a series of AGA-sponsored fund-raising events, which kicked off a fund-raising bonanza that raised $951,000 by June 1998.

* In June 1998, Lott and McConnell, working with tobacco industry representatives, killed the McCain tobacco control bill. Lott, reassured by McConnell that the tobacco industry would run ads defending GOP senators who voted against the bill, found the additional Republican votes necessary to kill the legislation.

Delivering for Dollars provides a detailed description and chronology of events undertaken by Lott and McConnell on behalf of the three industries.

"Only by ending the scandal of soft money will there be a chance to break up the cozy working relationship between well-heeled special interests and their powerful allies in Congress who determine whether a hearing on legislation occurs, whether a bill gets put on the floor for debate, whether a special deal gets quietly inserted into legislation without public discussion, or whether a massive campaign is coordinated with outside interests to quash a bill that is no longer to the liking of a political party's benefactors," said Frank Clemente, director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch. Public Citizen is a consumer advocacy organization founded by Ralph Nader.

"This unholy alliance -- one that essentially delivers favors for dollars -- must be stopped. There are only two individuals who stand in the way -- Senators Lott and McConnell. Their tireless efforts to block campaign finance reform are the ultimate acts of delivering for dollars," Clemente said.

Story link:
http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=393

To answer your first question, "Boss" McConnell, Who is corrupted? Your are!!!!!Before the term "Culture of Corruption" had been coined, Senators Lott and McConnell "beautifully" and proudly personified it. Why does "Boss" McConnell so very much oppose the reform of the way campaigns are financed? Because then he can't sell his votes and influence to the highest bidding special interest, such as managed care, casinos, and tobacco. If "Boss" McConnell is such a "Christian Conservative" why did he pander his influence for casinos, whom Christians vehemently oppose the construction of? Is his idea of a "family value" creating more gambling addicts that blow Jr.'s college money at the craps table? I know of several people at the Baptist University I go to who are adamantly opposed to the introduction of Casino Gambling anywhere. I can't wait to go back and let them know how "Boss" McConnell, during his leadership of the RSCC, pandered to, and sold influence to the GAMBLING LOBBY!!!!!!!!!!! Now I know Mr. McConnell is Senator from Kentucky, and many of you might think he is not your problem, but just remember, if by some curse from hell, the Republicans still control the Senate in January, he will be in line to be Majority Leader!!!!!!

We have this lovely article:

McConnell gets ready to step into Frist's shoes
By Jonathan Allen

Mitch McConnell is waiting patiently in the Senate’s wings, but he will soon be standing in the spotlight — a fact not lost on lawmakers, lobbyists and aides.

As fastidious in appearance and command of legislative details as he is in accumulating political capital, the Kentucky senator has been widely considered the heir to the Republican leader’s post since 2003, when self-term-limited Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.) took the helm and McConnell settled into the No. 2 job of whip.

Frist is slated to retire from the Senate in January 2007. He is beset by twin federal probes into his sale of stock in a company founded by his brother and late father.

Frist’s impending departure and the questions raised by the probes have elevated McConnell’s stature.

“There are definitely people out there who have woken up and realized that Mitch McConnell is going to be the next leader of the U.S. Senate,” one member of McConnell’s inner circle said.

Yet, with the rare luxury of a date certain for his ascension, McConnell remains deferential to Frist.

“He wouldn’t be in the position he’s in now if he was already measuring the drapes for the next job,” said Terry Carmack, a former McConnell aide who is now chief of staff to Rep. Anne Northup (R-Ky.).

“The marching orders that his entire staff has are: Do the job at hand well and the rest will take care of itself. Be loyal to the leader, be responsive to the caucus and execute,” another ally said.

Despite some degree of sensitivity to appearances on both sides, the relationship between the top two Senate Republicans is unchanged, according to a Frist aide.

“There’s definitely a smooth and effective operating relationship,” the aide said.

A McConnell aide said much the same thing.

“His good friend, Senator Frist, is the majority leader, and he is doing a great job at it,” McConnell spokesman Robert Steurer said in a statement. “Senator McConnell’s main focus right now is to be the best whip possible to enact our agenda.”

Those who have worked with McConnell describe him as measured, loyal and politically astute. Those traits helped him when Sen. Trent Lott (Miss.) was deposed as Republican leader in late 2002 after praising then-Sen. Strom Thurmond’s (R-S.C.) 1948 segregationist presidential campaign. Other Republican senators, including then-Whip Don Nickles (Okla.), publicly jockeyed for position. McConnell’s loyalty to Lott was rewarded when his colleagues promoted him to the whip job after all the dust had settled.

Halfway through his fourth term, the 63-year-old McConnell has established a reputation as an institutional insider who is masterful in the interdependent arts of cutting deals and building legislative coalitions. Before moving into the upper echelon of leadership, he ran the two committees that often give lawmakers the least news coverage but the most leverage with colleagues: Ethics and Rules. He also survived the chairmanship of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), holding the Republican majority at 55 in the 1998 election but presiding over the GOP loss of four seats in 2000 that set the stage for the defection of Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords from the party and for a brief Democratic majority.

Earlier this year, McConnell was the beneficiary of a major expansion of the subcommittee he chairs, Foreign Operations, when the Senate Appropriations Committee added spending for the State Department to its jurisdiction. The reorganization has caused complications for conference negotiators on the legislation, which is overseen by two House subcommittees, but it has broadened McConnell's influence.

So has McConnell's penchant for showering campaign cash on his colleagues. His Bluegrass political action committee has contributed to at least 40 of his 54 current Republican colleagues over five election cycles, including the 2006 cycle, according to records kept by PoliticalMoneyLine and the Center for Responsive Politics.

In contrast to Frist, who was installed by the White House, McConnell took a more traditional path to leadership — tending to colleagues’ needs, taking on unpopular tasks and working to build the party. It took three tries for him to win the chairmanship of the NRSC — he lost two bids against then-Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas in the early 1990s.

His willingness to delve into arcane subjects and his understanding of Senate folkways appear to make up for a less-than-dynamic public persona. Allies say McConnell is careful — not cautious — and knows the value of controlling expectations.

The latter was evident earlier this year when an imprecise vote count brought Vice President Cheney to a midnight Senate roll call on the budget. Cheney, who arrived to cast the tie-breaking vote, was ultimately unnecessary. The budget passed, 52-47.

Some aides to other lawmakers say his formal style can make people uncomfortable, even mildly intimidated. One said being in a room with the well-appointed whip is reminiscent of meeting a girlfriend’s father for the first time.

But no one seems to doubt McConnell’s strategic acumen. His ability to forge unconventional alliances has proved significant for the Republican legislative agenda.

He found a natural House ally in House Majority Leader and Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), with whom he has developed a rare cross-Capitol working relationship. Both have strong ties to K Street, though Blunt has been far more willing to highlight his use of a coalition of lobbyists to advance the Republican legislative agenda. McConnell is a frequent visitor to House Republican whip and “coalition” meetings.

“It helped us understand the tensions in the Senate … and how things developed and matured in that body,” said Greg Crist, a lobbyist at the Dutko Group who was an aide to House Republican Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas).

Republicans have scored several business-oriented legislative victories recently — including bankruptcy legislation and a measure limiting class-action lawsuits — in which the House cleared a Senate-approved version of the bill, averting a conference committee and the possibility that House members would end up taking tough votes on legislation that would never be enacted. A former House leadership aide credited the Blunt-McConnell alliance with ensuring enactment.

Blunt even received an inscribed Louisville Slugger baseball bat as a gift from his newfound Kentucky friend. It is the tool that Al Capone applies to a recalcitrant member of his gang to enforce the notion of teamwork in the film “The Untouchables.”

McConnell rarely makes pronouncements about strategy or tactics, preferring to work things out behind closed doors. In measured tones that are said to be the same in Capitol hideaways as in front of a bank of cameras, he is quick to take to the airwaves to support his party on the Sunday talk-show circuit. But McConnell has long eschewed the type of public dissent that turns some of his more maverick colleagues into media darlings. It is a trait that endears him to his colleagues and the administration — where his wife, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, works.

“If there’s a problem with the votes or a problem with strategy on John Roberts or John Bolton or whatever, his way of working things is to be talking to the White House, not talking to the White House through the media,” said the member of his inner circle.

It remains to be seen whether McConnell can smoothly navigate the battle brewing over President Bush’s nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. McConnell, a conservative stalwart, is in the awkward position of rounding up votes for a nominee who is opposed by many conservative activists and pundits. Just a few months ago, McConnell was claiming the support necessary to exercise the so-called “nuclear option” and end filibusters on judicial nominations — a cause that united the political right.

McConnell’s subtle approach to intraparty fights is evident in one of his chief legislative crusades: promoting democracy in Asia. While the Bush administration has focused much of its foreign policy on the Middle East, McConnell has continued a long campaign to undermine oppressive regimes farther east.

“He could easily be on the Bushwagon,” said one Democratic aide who deals with foreign policy. “He actually thinks that we’re ignoring other areas of the world.”

Though he is known for his party-building skills, McConnell has also demonstrated an appreciation for working across the aisle when such collaboration fits his goals.

McConnell’s relationship with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is good, according to Reid spokesman Jim Manley. Manley noted that the two hashed out a compromise on the reorganization of the Senate’s Governmental Affairs Committee into a panel that deals both with overall government oversight and the Homeland Security Department “amid a lot of competing pressures from both parties.”

In 2004, he negotiated a Senate deal that coupled a federal buyout of tobacco farmers with legislation backed by leading Senate liberal Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) that would have allowed the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco. McConnell, a conservative with strong ties to big business, shed no tears when the regulatory provisions were dropped in conference.

Still, McConnell does not shy away from partisan conflict. He was an outspoken proponent of the nuclear option. An ardent advocate for the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, McConnell was a leading foe of a campaign-finance overhaul enacted in 2002.

He was joined in an unsuccessful legal challenge to the measure by a strange bedfellow, the American Civil Liberties Union, which agreed that it was an unconstitutional limitation of speech. He shared those trenches with House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), an equally powerful foe of the McCain-Feingold legislation, with whom he is said to have a strong relationship.

Behind closed doors, McConnell’s case against the law also encompassed the practical — the damage the law does to Republican fundraising — according to a senior Republican aide.

McConnell ends up “splitting his arguments between political and practical,” the aide said. “It’s not 100 percent principle.”

Friends say McConnell would be appalled at any suggestion that he is moving to usurp Frist’s authority.

But they also say he can see several steps ahead.

“He’s an incredibly politically astute person,” said the member of his inner circle. “He does have that ability that good politicians exhibit: to see around corners.”

From this link:
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/101805/mcc...

All I can say to that is I hope he sees the bitter Democratic opposition that is waiting for him in 08 around the corner!!!!!!!

Check out "Boss" McConnell doing what Kentucky Republicans do best. "Planting tulips" on the leadership. Notice he also attempts to put a jab in at Howard Dean:

INSIDE POLITICS
By Greg Pierce
September 28, 2005

McConnell's retort
The drumbeat for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's scalp continued yesterday as reporters grilled Republican leaders over the prescient timing of Mr. Frist's sale of stock in Hospital Corp. of America Inc. -- just months before it tumbled 9 percent in one day this summer.
The company, founded by the Tennessee Republican's family, saw its stock price dive after a poorer than expected earnings report, but Mr. Frist and company officials say Mr. Frist had no insider knowledge.
Despite dual investigations into the sale by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Republicans are standing by their man, Majority Whip Mitch McConnell said yesterday.
"The leader has the unequivocal support of our members," said the Kentucky Republican, who handled Mr. Frist's leadership duties on the Senate floor yesterday. "We've taken a look at the situation. We think that he handled it correctly, and he enjoys total support in our conference, as nearly as I can ascertain."
Asked what he thought about Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean's typically harsh attack on Mr. Frist over the issue, Mr. McConnell tried suppressing a smile before letting loose.
"I sure hope Howard Dean never steps down as chairman of the Democratic National Committee," he said before taking the next question.

Link:
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050928-120746-4770r.htm

Don't worry Mr. McConnell, Dean's not going anywhere for a while. The only thing that is stepping down is that silly grin on your overconfident face. I know you think you can keep sticking it to the average Kentuckian, and American because you can always pander to some big time special interest money to bail you, and your sniveling band of trolls here in Kentucky out, but your recent showing of a falling approval rating in Kentucky at 48% shows that our voters are wising up to your hypocrisy!!!!

Here is the mission statement of the Children's Defense Fund:

The mission of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is to Leave No Child Behind® and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

It goes on to state:

CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown."

In 2003-2004, "Boss" McConnell only saw fit to support this organization 9% of the time. It ballooned to a whole 11% in 2005. I guess tax cuts and bankruptcy bills are a lot more important that defending the interests of disadvantaged children. How very Christian!!!!!

Link:
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=003471M

Here is the mission statement from Public Citizen's Congress watch:

Public Citizen is a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts."

The following ratings indicate the degree that each elected official supported the interests of the organization in that year

KY U.S. Senate Sr Mitch McConnell Republican 0%

Link:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=003434M

I guess "Boss" McConnell and his drooling band of neo-con ogres don't want the Public to know what they are doing!!!! Imagine that!!!

I'm glad you pointed that out... "Boss" McConnell's stands are quite the opposite to Christian principles.

Here is the mission statement of Citizens for Global Solutions:

Citizens for Global Solutions envisions a future in which nations work together to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms, and solve the problems facing humanity that no nation can solve alone. This vision requires effective democratic global institutions that will apply the rule of law while respecting the diversity and autonomy of national and local communities."

Mitch McConnell of Kentucky recieved a grade of "D" from this organization in 2005. Now, in the grading scale where I go to college, "D" is "Below Average". I can't think of a better way to describe "Boss" McConnell, and Kentucky's whole Congressional delegation, with the exception of Ben Chandler, unless its "way below average"!!!!!!!!