Mitch McConnell

With the events in Egypt “resolved” for the moment, our collective focus – and that of the media – has switched to President Obama’s budget proposal (if you’d like to dive into the 216 page document over a quite evening then go to www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Overview/ to download a copy).  As expected, Republicans from both House and Senate are not happy, claiming the proposed budget doesn’t cut spending enough.  One of the leaders of the Republican opposition, and more importantly the first ever Member of the Week, is Senator Mitch McConnell.

Hailing from the state of Kentucky, Addison Mitchell “Mitch” McConnell, Jr. was elected in 1984.  Despite being elected during the landslide re-election of President Ronald Reagan, Senator McConnell only won by four-tenths of a percentage point.  At the time of his election he held the unique distinction of being the only Republican Senate challenger to win and the first Republican to win statewide office in Kentucky since 1968.  His election signaled a new era of Republican power in Kentucky, with the state consistently sending a Republican House delegation to Washington since 1984.

Senator McConnell’s rise to power on Capitol Hill has been defined by setback, some of which was of his own making.  Having finally won the chairmanship of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 1996 (after losing in 1990 and 1992), Senator McConnell oversaw two unsuccessful election cycles; Senate Republicans gained no seats in 1998 and lost four in 2000.  Despite this disappointing tenure, he built a large support base during his chairmanship of the Senate Rules Committee from 1999 until 2002.  In 2006, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced his retirement, opening the door for McConnell to take the coveted position.  Unfortunately for Mitch, Republicans lost control of the Senate in 2006 and he was forced to run for minority leader.  Notwithstanding the turn of events, McConnell became Senate Minority Leader with ease (there was literally no opposition).  He has held that post since.

Senator McConnell is considered a strict conservative politician.  In the 110^th Congress he voted with the Republican Party 92.2 percent of the time.  His opposition to President Obama has also been well documented; in October 2010 he stated that the “single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.”  A vigorous opponent of campaign finance reform, he is considered one of the most prolific fundraisers in Washington.  Over the course of his career he has been on the receiving end of substantial donations from the following industries: Lawyers, Securities and Investments, and Health Professionals.

With a tough reelection campaign in 2008 behind him and the Republican Party’s future in front of him, Mitch McConnell will continue to be a key power player on Capitol Hill in the foreseeable future.  As for the present, being Member of the Week will have to do.

– Amendment 202

Enjoy our article on Mitch McConnell, check out our other Members of the Week.