Mitch McConnell sees the light on earmarks

Shout, “Hallelujah”! Mitch McConnell has finally seen the light on banning earmarks!

Politico: As he worked the phones over the past week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell concluded he was in a no-win situation over earmarks.

The Kentucky Republican could dig in and fight a proposed ban on earmarks, opening him up to attacks from his party’s right wing that he’s protecting wasteful pork-barrel spending. He could avoid taking a position publicly on the proposed ban and risk looking indecisive.

Or he could side with earmark detractors — and look as though he had capitulated in the first big test of his authority by the aggressive Sen. Jim DeMint-wing of the Republican Caucus, while forgoing what he believes are valuable projects he directs to Kentucky every year.

Sensing the political appeal lay squarely with earmark foes, McConnell stunned official Washington on Monday by saying he would support a two-year ban on the pet projects. [MORE]

Banning earmarks should be a no brainer for all Republicans. Earmark only account for a tiny fraction of our debt, but is probably the most well known aspect of reckless spending. So banning earmarks should be the most visible symbolic message the new Congress can send to the people saying they are serious about cutting debt and changing business as usual in Washington.

McConnell’s initial reluctance to an earmark ban signifies to me just how much work we have ahead us to get the GOP to see the error of its old way and exactly why we absolutely must not nominate an old GOP establishment type in 2012.  

Via: Memorandum

Via: Politico

Rand Paul may not support Mitch McConnell for Minority Floor Leader

Ever wonder what an outsider’s voice might bring to the GOP in Washington?  Here is an example: 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Front-runner Rand Paul said in a U.S. Senate debate Monday night that he may not support Kentucky's other senator, Mitch McConnell, for minority floor leader if he's elected.

"I'd have to know who the opponent is and make a decision at that time," Paul said in a sometimes testy televised debate, the final face off in what has become an increasing acrimonious race to replace Sen. Jim Bunning.

His chief Republican opponent, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, said he "proudly" would vote for McConnell. McConnell endorsed Grayson in the May 18 primary. South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, who endorsed Paul, has been mentioned as a potential McConnell opponent for minority leader, though DeMint has said he has no such intention.

Paul is considered an outsider to the Republican political establishment, which has supported Grayson. Paul, a Bowling Green eye surgeon, is leading in the polls. 

I agree with Rand Paul on this one. We should not automatically vote for McConnell without seeing who else might want the job. Quite frankly, I find McConnell to be a wee bit wishy washy and a good example of yesterday’s Republican.

I don’t see McConnell as fully understanding the gravity of America’s current situation. I think he still believes he is dealing with the Democrats of yesterday. I would like to see someone with a lot more bite and firmer principles, someone like Jim DeMint.

DeMint: "I feel a sense of urgency that some of my colleagues don't," he said in an interview. "The Republican Party, at least a segment of it within Washington, has increasingly joined the big-government, big-spending, earmarking ranks." 

See what I mean? Even on the House side, I would like to see someone else other than John Boenher. While more aggressive than McConnell, Boenher too seems a bit dated.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Associated Press

Via: The Washington Post