Mitch McConnell Won't Speak To Harry Reid

Roll Call reports that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell isn't speaking to Majority Leader Harry Reid:

[D]espite a previously solid working and personal relationship with his Democratic counterpart, McConnell chose to ignore both the election night call and a subsequent follow-up call from Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), whose party had dumped more than $6 million into Kentucky in an ultimately futile push to knock off the Republican leader.

In fact, according to Democrats and Republicans familiar with the situation, while McConnell and Obama spoke on the Thursday following the election, it took McConnell some nine days to ultimately respond to Reid's overtures.

Republicans warned that Reid should be prepared for a full-court press during his own 2010 re-election bid, and that the sudden deterioration in relations, no matter how short-lived, is a direct result of what they view as an overly aggressive Democratic effort to unseat McConnell.

"The Majority Leader made a tactical error that could potentially cost him his job when he signed off on $6 million of attack ads the last few weeks in Kentucky. McConnell never takes political attacks personally, but he is someone who has never hesitated to repay his opposition for their courtesy," a senior Republican official said, adding that identifying a high-quality opponent to challenge Reid will be a priority for the party in the coming months.

As Steve Benen notes, McConnell seems to be unusually sensitive.

So, let me get this straight. The relationship between the two parties' Senate leaders is in "tatters" because the Republican leader thinks the Democratic leader supported an effort to win a competitive Senate race. The Big Bad Harry Reid was mean in trying to help his party gain another seat.

What, did McConnell think his leadership role left him immune? Funny, I don't remember him encouraging Republicans to scale back their efforts to take down Tom Daschle in 2004.

Comments

[hydrocap]

Politics is a contact sport; McConnel should grow a set.

[Elahrairah]

What a baby. Needs some cheese with his whine.

[helmboy]

he's not vindictive but he follow up ... what a buncha dipshits. so he'll put his chinless widdow feewings ahead of the good of the country. same old, same old. No wonder they are bound for political extinction. good.

[dantanna]

i woundt either; although for different reasons. that reid is a joke - i have to respect for that man - i voted for democrats this time around only becuase the republicans are even worse than them - not because democrtas have earned it.

[thaggas]

Our government as run by teenage girls. Fantastic.

[swanie]

Gee, what does McConnell expect? He was/is the leader of the bigots in the Republican Party, and Senator Reid did the right thing (pun intended) to support his getting beat. IT is a shame it didn't work.
.

[CeciliaBertrand]

It is a shame it didn't work out this time - with McConnell's old school attitude - he is likely to be voted out of office the next time anyhow without an extra $6 mil against him. The key is Unity - seems McConnell didn't get the memo. Other than that, it is politics as usual.

[MountPanic]

Don't y'all get it?

He's paying tribute to Ted Stevens' legacy of mature leadership!

Well played, McConnell.

[Denemator]

All dirty tricks and nefarious deeds are allowed if perpetrated by the repubs, it is in their genes, hence they cannot help doing it.

[ZeMongoose]

They should have a duel to the death, like in the old days. No matter who loses, America will be better off.

[texmike]

With Zell Miller and Chris Matthews on the undercard! ;)

[javagirl322]

grumpy old men...

[neuron]

Anyone still believe in bipartisanship???
McChinless will do every thing in his power to derail the new agenda.

[Denemator]

The mc thing does leave countless opportunities doesn't it? lol

[pangursperson]

LOL, if campaigning against someone is what he considers a personal attack then he is in the wrong profession.

[tydicea]

That McConnel was returned to the senate by a constituency blinded by pork and bigotry is a travesty.

[Bluedanube]

McConnel has a mouth only Larry Craig could love.

[Denemator]

So true, yet so disturbing.

[GlenRast]

Like small spoiled children who have just learned they can't have everything the GOP and their supporters are awash in breath holding and tantrum throwing. If they continue down this road for the next 2 years there will be even less of them next election cycle.

[partyofone]

A US Senator acting like a child. No wonder the nation is in such as mess. Why do these incompetents keep getting re-elected? They populate both parties and every state.