Mitch McConnell Stiffs League of Women Voters

by Taylor Marsh

McCain only threatened to skip a debate.

Mitch McConnell took a page from McCain's playbook, then did him one better. He simply ducked out... more than once, in fact. Is this any way for the Senate Minority "Leader" to behave?

But dissing the League of Women Voters? Stiffing them in a year when the women's vote is so critical? It seems beyond tone deaf. In a year where the first woman ever to run on a Republican national ticket breaks through, McConnell turns up a cad.

It's as out of touch as when McConnell channeled McCain on the economy. When after the catastrophic Wall Street collapse Mitch said it was really only an "economic slowdown."

"There's no question we are having an economic slowdown right now," McConnell said. "It is simply not in debate, and how serious it gets remains to be seen." - [Northern Kentucky Enquirer, 9/16/08]

"McConnell admits the economy is in bad shape, but says Democrats lack the remedy and will in fact do more damage by carrying the unions' water on bashing and dismantling trade agreements. 'There's no question we are having an economic slowdown,' he said." [National Journal's CongressDaily, 9/26/08]

"RACHEL PLATT: Let me ask you first and foremost, number one issue everyone would agree, do you, the economy? MCCONNELL: Yeah I think the economy is a big issue; we're obviously having an economic slowdown. People are concerned about it." [WHAS, 10/15/08]

Stunning. Maybe Mitch is afraid he'll have to explain those remarks. Especially with the Wall Street Journal saying things like "Worst Crisis Since '30s, With No End Yet in Sight."

After McConnell decided to duck the debate with Bruce Lunsford, the LWV was told McConnell was basically too busy.

"Exposing voters to a rigorous debate of the critical issues facing this nation today is a cornerstone of the democratic election process in America. It is regrettable that Sen. McConnell has chosen to deny Kentuckians that opportunity by declining this statewide broadcast opportunity," said League president Teena Halbig, in announcing that the league's debate had been canceled.

So on Monday, at the KET venue, it was just Lunsford: Appearing alone in front of two question-wielding journalists and TV cameras, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford chastised Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell for not debating in what he called "the big race" in the state.

Roll Call had a piece on it entitled "McConnell Ditches Debate." (Link no longer working.)

There's only one reason a veteran politician blows off a debate. McConnell is trying to hold on and he's chicken to face Lunsford for fear he'll further illustrate he's way out of touch. Anyone saying we're only in an "economic slowdown" has reason to worry. McConnell obviously can't prove to voters why he's earned the right to keep his job.

But stiffing the League of Women Voters?

Hey Mitch. What's got you so scared? Maybe it's the fact that Kentuckians have you figured out.

bwak... bwak... bwak.

Comments

[ikenneth]

Mitch McConnell's ties with Ted Stevens
http://pageonekentucky.com/2008/10/28/mcconnells-close-ties-with-corrupt-ted-stevens/#more-2329

[antaeus]

Wow. The words "Mitch McConnell," "Stiff" and "Women" don't often find themselves in the same sentence.

[PKSSK]

I hope Mitch is gone on Nov 4. Great post Taylor!!!

[JohnFromCensornati]

I'm gonna vote to ditch Mitch, but don't get your hopes up. Lunsford is a DINO, so he has generated little enthusiasm.

[JC1c1]

I too am voting to get rid of Mitch! I dont really like Lunsford, but anyone is better than Mitch.



Obama/Biden 08

[FogCityJohn]

At least the League of Women Voters is still running debates in Kentucky. One of the saddest (and least remarked) political developments of the last two decades was the removal of the LWV from its role in presidential debates. Basically, the parties didn't much like the way the LWV ran the debates, because the LWV allowed journalists to ask real questions and to follow up.

I still remember LWV president Dorothy Ridings striding confidently onto the stage to introduce the last presidential debate her organization hosted. I say, bring back the League of Women Voters!

[ljc]

Typical Republican girly man. Go hid under the bed. Geesh. I hope they all loose. My apoligies if there are any honest, non-greedy ones out there.

[JohnFromCensornati]

There aren't.

[IndianaJohn]

Ooo, Mitch better be careful. It's not good to be a chicken in the land of Colonel Sanders. Original or extra crispy?

[tompoe]

The roll of thunder, the chant of Party of Corporate Welfare is deafening. McConnell has no choice but to hide. Their only way to avoid having to disband the Party of Corporate Welfare altogether, is to stop the bleeding. It's beyond time to execute the moratorium on foreclosures, and Bush isn't going to ruin his going away present for his cronies, McConnell, or anyone else.

[cgist]

McConnell is definitely a master of talking points, so it makes sense he would not want to subject himself to the scrutiny of a debate.
In a recent interview on a local station, his first response to a question about the wall street bailout,
was "you mean the rescue plan?" His response was so quick and natural, it was like a magic trick,
presto, bad bailout turns into heroic rescue plan. A Lunsford victory in Kentucky would be the biggest upset of all November 5th, but given the nature of the state is unfortunately highly unlikely.

[Taylor Marsh - Huffpost Blogger]

Don't know if you all saw this one, but Schumer weighed in for The Hill:

Schumer: No qualms about defeating McConnell

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/schumer-dems-have-no-qualms-about-defeating-mcconnell-2008-10-29.html