Worried Republicans are questioning McConnell’s political strategy in shutdown

Republican pals of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are dishing to conservative outlet The Washington Examiner’s David Drucker about his total absence of leadership in this partial government shutdown, now in its 26th day.

McConnell, they say, is “hoping to keep his seat and wary of angering the base.” His “overriding interest” is keeping on good terms with Trump after a rocky start in which Trump regularly bashed him publicly. McConnell wants to stay on the good side of the Trump base, they say, because he wants to be reelected in 2020. But they also think he “would pivot if the shutdown runs long and his members’ re-elections were imperiled.”

Well, guess what Republicans? This shutdown has run long, longer than any other in the nation’s history and his majority is imperiled. So “many GOP insiders” are going to Drucker to say they “are wary of waging a protracted shutdown.” This is a cry for help from these Republicans to McConnell—DO SOMETHING!

But, Drucker concludes, he’s not acting because “another nagging issue” is causing his reluctance to get involved. “He doesn’t trust Trump.” Welcome to the big leagues, Leader McConnell. It’s not reflecting particularly well on you that when real leadership is most demanded, you’re retreating into your shell.

Clearly, Republicans in the Senate are feeling pressure and are looking for help in getting McConnell to do something.

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