Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is laying the groundwork for something unthinkable just a year ago: endorsing former President Trump as a 2024 presidential candidate. Meanwhile, pressure on him is increasing.
Trump’s victory in South Carolina on Saturday further strengthened his grip on the Republican Party and left McConnell in a tight spot. He held out as long as he could until it was revealed on Monday that he and Trump’s team were discussing a possible endorsement.
The endorsement was the culmination of a roller-coaster history for the pair, something the longtime Republican leader never imagined as he watched President Trump leave Washington in disgrace. You will be in a position.
“No, I don’t think it’s easy,” one Senate Republican told The Hill about the possibility of McConnell taking that step. “But he’s a realist, and ultimately he wants the Republican Party or Republican policies.”
“I don’t know if his political thinking can overcome his personal thinking.” [issues] sufficient. If anyone can do it, he probably can too,” the Senate Republican added.
This week, there was a report, confirmed by The Hill, that Trump campaign manager Chris Lacivita and Josh Holmes, McConnell’s top political ally, were discussing a possible endorsement.
Thirty-two Senate Republicans, representing nearly two-thirds of the chamber, formally endorsed Trump. That includes four out of five members of Mr. McConnell’s leadership team, increasing similar pressure on the longtime Republican leader.
“Right now, you have two choices. It’s clear that Trump is going to be our Republican nominee…We have Trump or Biden,” said Sen. John Thune, an early supporter of the former president. said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Republican Party. .D.) Whip Team. “I think it would be wise for Republicans to come together and say, ‘This is our candidate.’ This is the person we support.”
“Where will our meeting be held?” Marin added, noting that Trump has strong numbers behind him. “It shows the unity of our conference.”
Republicans believe there is one big reason McConnell might support the former president’s campaign. This is to support Republican Senate candidates aiming to regain the majority.
Mr. McConnell and Sen. Steve Daines (Montana), the Senate Republican campaign manager, fielded many of their party’s top candidates in priority seats. Daines, who endorsed Trump early last year, has been working with Trump to eliminate candidates in some states or give their preferred candidates an easier path to victory.
“He’s going to get through a lot of crap to improve his path to the majority,” said the second Senate Republican. “That would be the only reason Mitch would go beyond principle and do what’s politically expedient…because he’s so desperate to win a majority that he’ll make personal sacrifices to do it.”
Others agree.
“There is no other reason,” one Senate Republican said.
Daines was part of the crowd who tried to force the two men to bury the hatchet. “I encourage the Republican Party to unite” behind Trump, he said in a statement, adding that “it will take all of us” to win in November.
Mr. McConnell told reporters on Tuesday, “I’m not announcing anything about that today,” declining to participate in advocacy talks. He has said in the past that he would support the eventual Republican nominee.
But an endorsement could come after Super Tuesday, as President Trump nears a conclusion to his primary against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Asked about McConnell at last week’s City Council meeting, Trump told Fox News that McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, “will probably support me eventually,” but said he doubted the two could work together again. He said he was not sure.
“I don’t know if I can work with him,” Trump said. “He gave away trillions of dollars that we didn’t need. He made it so much easier for Democrats.”
Trump and McConnell do not believe they have spoken in more than three years, after McConnell slammed Trump, saying he was “practically and morally responsible” for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. It is being McConnell also considered voting to convict the former president in his second impeachment trial, but ultimately argued that the judicial system was a better place to hold Trump accountable for his actions. did.
During this time, President Trump’s comments increased hostility toward Mr. McConnell and targeted his wife, former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. The first Senate Republican said it will be difficult for Mr. McConnell to overcome these thorns.
“It’s not like either side was hiding it,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (D) said of the shared animosity.
McConnell is far from the only member of the Republican conference withholding support.
Over the weekend, Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate and one of the most powerful holdouts and a longtime favorite of President Trump, formally announced his support.
But Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) said: punch bowl news Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Mike Rounds (R.S.D.) similarly remained on the sidelines, though they said they had “no intention” of endorsing the former president.Ernst is the only other member with leadership don’t support trump.
Some Trump supporters see the potential endorsement as a classic McConnell move, despite a long history of bad blood.
“Remember, it’s the long game,” Cramer said, referring to McConnell’s oft-stated focus, which is also the title of his memoir. “He can see everything… Mitch is a very down-to-earth guy. He’s a very down-to-earth leader. Mitch has the great blessing of not taking things personally. He is not a person who is easily offended personally. At least, if he is, he has not demonstrated it.”
“Remember, he loves calling himself ‘Cocaine Mitch’ and ‘Old Crow,'” Cramer added, noting that the latter is part of Trump’s usual line of criticism. Ta. “He grabs those things.”
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