McConnell Makes Another Move Against Bunning-- Mayhem In Kentucky Republican Party Politics

KY Attorney General Jack Conway staying above the ugly fray

Mitch McConnell, with the knowledge-- and perhaps connivance-- of John Cornyn, is bum-rushing confused Jim Bunning into dropping out of his re-election bid. McConnell operatives coordinated a p.r. campaign yesterday in yet another in a long series of attempts to force Bunning's shaky hand-- which has also included recruiting candidates to run against him in the Republican primary and drying up his fundraising base. Let's start with McConnell's people claiming that Bunning had encouraged Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson to jump into the primary. My sources in Kentucky say it just isn't true and follows a statement just two days ago from Bunning that he expects to run without any primary opposition.

A few moments after I wrote that last line, it was confirmed by David Herszenhorn in the NY Times who spoke with Bunning's office, which refuted the rumors planted by McConnell. According to Bunning's spokesman, Mike Reynard, "Senator Bunning has every intention of running."

McConnell and Grayson are now claiming that Bunning is too senile to remember that he told Grayson to go ahead and run with his blessing. McConnell has orchestrated stories in the 3 most influential Capitol Hill trade papers, Politico, The Hill and Roll Call. In February Bunning had publicly threatened McConnell and Cornyn that if they didn't back off from their dirty tricks, he would resign at once and give Kentucky's Democratic governor, Steve Beshear, an opportunity to appoint a replacement (i.e., Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo).

Already in conflict with his party’s leaders, Sen. Jim Bunning has reportedly said privately that if he is hindered in raising money for his re-election campaign he is ready with a response that would be politically devastating for Senate Republicans: his resignation.

The Kentucky Republican suggested that possible scenario at a campaign fundraiser for him on Capitol Hill earlier this week, according to three sources who asked not to be identified because of the politically sensitive nature of Bunning’s remarks.

The implication, they said, was that Bunning would allow Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, to appoint his replacement-- a move that could give Democrats the 60 votes they need to block Republican filibusters in the Senate.

“I would get the last laugh. Don’t forget Kentucky has a Democrat governor,” one of the sources quoted Bunning as saying.

“The only logical extension of that comment is, ‘(Make me mad) … enough and I’ll resign, and then you’ve got 60 Democrats,’” said another source who was present at the event.