WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday downplayed expectations of Republicans capturing control of the Senate in the fall elections, describing “candidate quality” as an important factor.
“I think there’s probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate. Senate races are just different — they're statewide, candidate quality has a lot to do with the outcome,” he said in Florence, Kentucky, at a Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce luncheon when asked about his projection for the 2022 election.
“Right now, we have a 50-50 Senate and a 50-50 country, but I think when all is said and done this fall, we’re likely to have an extremely close Senate, either our side up slightly or their side up slightly.”
Even though history strongly favors the party out of power — in this case the GOP — to make gains in midterm races, McConnell has long worried that subpar candidates could play into Democrats' hands.
While he didn't mention any names, there are examples across the country.
In Pennsylvania's open Senate race, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report changed its rating Thursday from "toss up" to "lean Democrat" as GOP nominee Mehmet Oz, a celebrity doctor, struggles against Democrat John Fetterman, the state's lieutenant governor, who leads in recent polls.
Apart from Oz, Republicans have nominated numerous first-time candidates backed by former President Donald Trump in states such as Georgia, Arizona and Ohio to run against seasoned Democratic politicians. The Senate Leadership Fund, a group aligned with McConnell, recently bought $28 million worth of airtime in Ohio to support Republican nominee J.D. Vance.
The Republican Party establishment also failed to recruit preferred candidates in other states, like New Hampshire.
McConnell may be feeling déjà vu from 2010 and 2012 when his party fell short of capturing control of the chamber in part due to weak candidates such as Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, Sharron Angle in Nevada and Todd Akin in Missouri.
Despite their woes with candidates, Republicans still have opportunities to add to their ranks. They need a net gain of just one seat to seize control of the Senate from the Democrats and effectively gain veto power over President Joe Biden's legislative agenda and nominees for top administration positions and judgeships.
EmmaLouLove on August 18th, 2022 at 20:49 UTC »
So it’s a quality control issue? Maybe don’t condone a crooked ex-President who incited a violent attack on our US Capitol.
Maybe don’t stay silent as your electorate spews hate and crazy conspiracy theories, and threatens the FBI and judiciary for doing their jobs.
Maybe don’t take away a woman’s right to choose and vote Yes to policies that promote the health and well-being of the electorate and Mother Earth.
Maybe don’t threaten to take away Medicare and Social Security, or as Republicans like to call them, entitlements. The programs Americans have paid into for decades are in serious jeopardy if Republicans take control. The GOP wants to require a vote every five years just to keep our safety nets. This is not a joke.
We need you to be better Republicans. And when I say better, I mean in a totally different category.
Bonny-Mcmurray on August 18th, 2022 at 20:46 UTC »
At some point their candidates are going to be so twisted and/or stupid that they can't be manipulated by party leadership. Imagine Mitch McConnell having no idea what's going to happen at a vote because a fair portion of his caucus might have browsed 8chan 5 minutes previous and absorbed some new conspiracy theory. He might already be there.
treesrpeople on August 18th, 2022 at 20:43 UTC »
The candidates reflect their supporters