Republicans are becoming increasingly concerned about the prospective successor to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), should he be unable to serve out the remaining three years of his term.
The Daily Caller’s highly recognized congressional reporter Henry Rogers recently shared his opinions on potential replacements for Senator McConnell, who is 81 years old. Two of his deputies are interestingly among the contenders, which has the political community buzzing with rumors. No immediate difficulties are foreseen before McConnell’s term ends in 2026, but informed sources claim that steps are being planned to ensure a seamless transition and maintain caucus unity in his absence.
“The alternative is really just a look-a-like in Cornyn or Thune. My understanding is that Thune is likely to really inherit the McConnell infrastructure and he seems to be the one that is likely to get it. At some point when McConnell does leave, in some form or fashion, I don’t think Cornyn is without a shot. I think he has a chance but I don’t see anybody else. I don’t see a viable outsider alternative coming into play,” Senators John Cornyn of Texas and John Thune of South Dakota, according to a former chief of staff in the Senate, told The Caller.
“I put the Senate maybe into three camps. So, there are strong McConnell allies. There are the people who don’t like McConnell and voted against him and are actual outsiders and there’s the folks in the middle. Frankly, a plurality of them were indifferent to McConnell, but afraid of their own shadow and will always support McConnell or whoever is the leader. There’s a process, if you will, and that is very likely to stay the same,” continued the former Senate Chief of Staff.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who has previously attacked McConnell and even challenged him for the job, won’t be involved this time, a source said.
“I don’t think anyone is actually going to step up. Rick Scott stepped up, to his credit, but even if you had maybe someone who was more associated with the MAGA-Right or the populist realignment, I still don’t think it will make a difference because of that plurality people who don’t really do much, but always are willing to support the leadership and always support the establishment.”
Sens. Thune and Cornyn, on the other hand, presently take on many leadership tasks in McConnell’s absence due to sickness.
“Thune and Cornyn are seen as the most natural successors. Right? Because they’re kind of doing the job right now to be totally candid. And Cornyn, you know has been in leadership. But I don’t think I don’t know that the field will be limited to just those two. I think there are a lot of senators I mean, this will be the first leadership election in 16 years,” the Senate aide said.
Following two instances of freezing during public addresses, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell’s worries about the future of the Republican Party have escalated. Some question whether these instances are connected to a prior fall McConnell suffered at the Washington, D.C. Astoria Hotel despite the fact that he was cleared by a Senate physician of any physical issues that would impair his job. Both constituents and former President Donald Trump have called for his resignation.
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While senators from both parties are reluctant to attack their colleagues for their age out of fear that they may face the same criticism in the future, the majority of the caucus has backed McConnell. The only Republican in the caucus who has called on McConnell to step down is Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).
“If you’re concerned about the president’s ability to do his job and I am, and a lot of Republicans say they are, then you’ve got to be concerned when it’s somebody of your own party,” Hawley informed the media on Wednesday.
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