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The Long Game

Page 29

by Mitch McConnell


  Leno, Jay, 143

  Lewinsky, Monica, 109

  Lewis, Brian, 160

  Lincoln, Abraham, 36

  listening, value of, 224

  Lott, Trent

  and comments at Thurmond’s birthday, 135–36

  and elections of 1998, 109

  and elections of 2000, 123

  as Senate majority leader, 134, 135–36

  support of, 138

  as whip, 146, 160

  loyalty, lesson in, 31

  Lugar, Dick, 65

  Lundergan, Jerry, 221

  Lunsford, Bruce, 177

  Madison, James, 3, 233

  majority leader position of Senate

  and Dole, 73

  and elections of 2014, 245–46, 250

  and Frist, 136, 137, 152, 157

  and loss of majority in 2006 midterms, 157–58

  and Lott, 134, 135–36

  and Mansfield, 42

  McConnell’s achievement of, 250

  and McConnell’s ambitions, 73, 134, 136–37, 152, 158, 212, 226, 239

  and McConnell’s priorities, 239, 252

  and Mitchell, 94

  preparation for, 5

  and Reid, 158–59, 194–95, 237–38, 239

  and vote counts, 147

  Mansfield, Mike, 42, 168

  McCain, John

  and Affordable Care Act, 197–98

  and elections of 2008, 178

  and financial crisis of 2008, 173

  and McCain-Feingold bill, 113, 152

  McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002), 113, 114, 149–52

  McCarthy, Larry, 63

  McConnell, A. M., II (father)

  and baseball, 15, 18

  and campaign for county judge, 48

  and Civil Rights Act (1964), 31

  courtship and marriage of, 10, 54

  death of, 74–75, 95

  and Inauguration Day, 2001, 124

  military service of, 10–12, 95, 228

  and move to Kentucky, 18–19, 22

  and presidential election of 1952, 21

  and Senate campaign, 54, 68–69

  values instilled by, 13–14

  youth of, 9–10

  McConnell, Claire, 47, 49

  McConnell, Dean Shockley (mother)

  and ambitions of McConnell, 23, 123–24

  and campaign for county judge, 48

  courtship and marriage of, 10, 54

  death of, 87–88

  and husband’s death, 74–75, 86–87

  and Inauguration Day, 2001, 124

  influence of, 258

  and in-laws, 12–13

  move to Kentucky, 19

  and polio of McConnell, 7–8, 10–11, 68–69, 88, 227, 228

  and student elections, 23

  youth of, 8–9

  McConnell, Elly, 47, 49

  McConnell, Mamie (grandmother), 12–13, 15, 19

  McConnell, Mitch

  accomplishments as senator, 241–42

  birth of, 10

  childhood of (see youth of McConnell)

  demeanor of, 146–47, 174 (see also patience and perseverance)

  education of, 26–29

  as father, 47, 48, 49, 75

  fighting spirit of, 13–14, 56, 68–69, 226–29

  goals of (see ambitions of McConnell)

  grandparents of, 8–9, 12–13, 15, 19, 20

  marriages of, 38, 49, 79, 85 (see also Chao, Elaine; McConnell, Sherrill Redmon)

  military service of, 38

  nickname for, 132

  strategic mind of, 234

  triple bypass surgery, 140–41

  See also polio of McConnell’s youth

  McConnell, Porter, 47, 49

  McConnell, Robert Hayes (grandfather), 12, 15, 19, 20

  McConnell, Sherrill Redmon, 38, 40–41, 44, 46, 49, 129

  McConnell Center, 78, 135, 184, 201, 234, 243

  McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, 150–51

  McDaniel, Malloy, 160

  McGovern, George, 76

  McGuire, Brian

  and Affordable Care Act, 197

  and attack on Petraeus, 164

  and baseball game, 189–90

  and concession speech, 181

  and elections of 2014, 248

  eulogies written by, 189

  and financial crisis of 2008, 174

  and kickback accusations, 235–36

  and primary-challenges comment, 240

  role of, on McConnell’s staff, 160

  media

  aggressive tactics of, 114

  and campaign finance reform, 112–15

  and Democratic wins of 2008, 186

  and elections of 2000, 119–20

  and elections of 2014, 245, 248

  and Ethics Committee assignment, 99–100

  and impeachment of Clinton, 112

  and Iraq War, 166

  and live news, 32–33

  and Lott, 135, 136

  and obstructionist accusations, 224

  and Packwood investigation, 98

  portrayal of McConnell, 1, 105

  and post-election press conference, 252

  and public opinion during wartime, 176

  and Republican’s criticisms of fellow Republicans, 167, 168–69

  Medicare and Medicaid, 144, 190, 194, 206

  Meet the Press, 114, 138

  military

  military service of McConnell, 38

  support of, 148–49

  minimum wage plan, 156

  Mitchell, George, 94, 103

  Mondale, Walter, 64

  money in politics, 177

  Morton, Thruston B., 22, 40, 67

  Mosher, Nan, 143, 144

  Mother Jones, 222–23

  MoveOn.org, 156, 164, 177

  Moynihan, Daniel Patrick, 106

  Muchow, Stefanie

  and budget negotiations, 208

  and elections of 2014, 240, 248, 249

  and financial crisis of 2008, 174–75

  and government shutdown of 2013, 232

  grilling hot dogs, 217

  and recovery from heart surgery, 143

  and reelection campaign of 2008, 181

  role of, on McConnell’s staff, 105

  and Specter’s party switch, 188

  Mueller, Bob, 129

  Mullins, Janet, 52–53, 55, 61, 62, 66, 67–68

  Murphy, George, 139

  Murtha, Jack, 163

  Natcher, Bill, 157

  National Journal, 110–11, 186, 202

  National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC)

  as chairman of, 107–9

  and elections of 1984, 65

  and elections of 2000, 117, 119

  Frist’s leadership of, 137

  and party cohesiveness, 115

  national security, 163, 177, 186

  National Taxpayers Union, 50

  Nelson, Ben, 196–97

  Nelson, Bill, 196

  New Deal, 184

  Newsweek, 186

  New York Times, 113, 114, 150, 164, 239

  Nickles, Don, 133, 136

  Nixon, Richard, 32, 76, 145

  Novak, Bob, 113

  Obama, Barack

  agenda of, 185–86, 200, 204

  approval ratings of, 199

  and budget negotiations, 206–9, 213–15

  and elections of 2008, 180, 183

  and elections of 2010, 202

  and elections of 2012, 212

  and financial crisis
of 2008, 173

  and government shutdown of 2013, 233, 235

  and legislative goals of Republicans, 255

  negotiating style of, 206–7, 209

  and Obamacare, 193, 203 (see also Affordable Care Act)

  and “one-term president” comment, 202, 203

  personality of, 185

  policy discussions with, 206–7

  at Republican luncheon, 184

  and stimulus package of 2009, 186, 203, 204

  and taxes on wealthy, 213

  obstructionist tactics, accusations of, 93–94, 203, 224

  Office of Legislative Affairs, US Department of Justice, 46

  Operation Enduring Freedom, 129

  Oswald, Lee Harvey, 32

  Out of Iraq Coalition, 164

  Packwood, Bob, 52, 99–101

  patience and perseverance

  and baseball, 17

  and first Senate term, 71

  and majority leader position, 137

  McConnell’s emphasis on, 4

  and recovery from heart surgery, 142–43

  and reelection campaign of 2008, 180–81

  Patriot Act (2001), 129

  Paul, Rand, 204

  Paul, Ron, 204

  Paulson, Hank, 170, 171, 175

  Pelosi, Nancy, 170, 173, 188, 214–15

  Pemberton, Laura, 160

  Perot, Ross, 77–78

  Persian Gulf War, 74, 75–77

  Petraeus, David, 148–49, 161, 162–63, 164

  Piper, Billy

  and elections of 2006, 158, 159

  and elections of 2008, 179, 180, 182

  and elections of 2014, 248, 249

  positions held by, 106–7, 158

  and staff at Russell building, 160

  polio of McConnell’s youth

  consequences of, 15, 38

  mother’s determination to beat, 7–8, 10–11, 68–69, 88, 226–27, 228

  and political attacks, 177

  political cartoons, 153, 154, 156–57

  political speech, 151. See also campaign finance reform

  Politico, 220

  Prather, Joe, 157

  prescription drug benefits for seniors, 144

  presidency

  disinterest of McConnell in, 4, 73

  veto power of, 222, 233

  press. See media

  primary challenges, 219, 239–40. See also specific elections

  progressivism, 256–57

  public opinion, 153–54, 176

  al-Qaeda, 130, 166, 177

  Raab, Scott, 160, 196

  racial equality, 30–31, 34–35, 36, 135

  radio advertising, 66

  Rakestraw, Vince, 45

  Rangel, Charlie, 211

  Reagan, Nancy, 64–65

  Reagan, Ronald

  appeal of, 71–72

  criticisms of, 154

  deals struck by, 218

  death of, 154–55

  and election of 1984, 68

  and Goldwater, 37

  inauguration of, 125

  and “Mitch O’Donnell” incident, 107, 227

  political leadership of, 49

  and Senate campaign of McConnell, 64–65

  and South African apartheid, 72

  Reform Party, 77–78

  regionalism, risks of, 255

  Rehnquist, William, 126

  Reid, Harry

  and Affordable Care Act, 193, 194–95

  and budget negotiations, 208, 214–15, 216

  and elections of 2010, 205

  and executive office appointments, 237

  and financial crisis of 2008, 170, 171, 174

  and government shutdown of 2013, 234–35

  and Harkin’s proposed rule changes, 237

  and Iraq War, 161, 163–64, 165

  and judicial nominations, 237

  personality of, 159

  on Republican-led Senate, 256

  and rule-change proposals, 237

  as Senate majority leader, 158–59, 237–38, 239

  show votes of, 2, 165

  religious life of McConnell, 58

  Republicans

  and Affordable Care Act, 199

  and ambitions of McConnell, 133

  and civil rights, 36, 37

  and Clinton’s impeachment, 111–12

  and criticism of fellow Republicans, 115, 167–68, 204–5, 253

  discord in the ranks of, 253

  and elections of 2004, 157

  function of, 254

  and Iraq War, 162–63

  and McConnell family, 20, 21

  and minorities in Congress, 183

  and one-day retreat, 185

  and Packwood investigation, 101

  and party cohesiveness, 115, 254

  and primary challenges, 219, 239–40

  and Republican leader, 160, 168, 176, 184, 227

  Republican National Convention, 49, 116

  and risks of regionalism, 255

  and term limits, 133

  and Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), 172

  See also elections; US House of Representatives; US Senate

  Rich, Marc, 125

  Rockefeller, Jay, 70

  Roosevelt, Franklin D., 8

  Roosevelt, Teddy, 137

  Rove, Karl, 167

  Royce, Marshall, 47

  Ruby, Jack, 32

  Rules Committee (Senate), 98–99, 107

  Rumsfeld, Donald, 161

  Russell, Bob, 248

  Russert, Tim, 106, 112

  Santorum, Rick, 136, 158

  Scalia, Antonin, 46

  Schiappa, Dave, 160

  Schieffer, Bob, 98, 156

  Schiff, Joe, 47, 52

  Schnellenberger, Howard, 78

  Schumer, Chuck, 170

  segregation, 30–31, 135

  Senate. See US Senate

  Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF), 204–5, 212, 219, 235–36

  Senate Finance Committee, 196

  September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 128–29, 130

  Shadegg, John, 144

  Shelby, Richard, 170

  Shields, Mark, 113

  Shockley, Babe, 8–9

  Silberman, Laurence, 45, 46

  Simmons, Kyle

  as chief of staff, 106

  and deficit reduction bill, 148

  and elections of 1996, 101

  and elections of 2008, 178–79

  and elections of 2014, 225–26, 248, 249

  and financial crisis of 2008, 171–72

  and majority leader position, 137

  and media coverage of McConnell, 112

  and Packwood investigation, 99–100

  and recovery from heart surgery, 143

  and Schieffer, 97–98

  and Specter’s party switch, 187–88

  staff assembled by, 160

  and triple bypass surgery, 140

  Simpson, Alan, 94

  Sloane, Harvey, 74

  Snowe, Olympia, 191, 192–93

  Snowmageddon, 195

  Snyder, Gene, 29–32

  Social Security, 194, 206

  Soderstrom, Sharon, 160, 210, 214, 217

  soft money, 113–14

  Solon, Mike, 160

  Soros, George, 164

  South African apartheid, 72

  Soviet Union, 77

  Specter, Arlen, 187–88

  Speir, Alan, 140, 141, 143–44

  Stabenow, Debbie, 117

  staff of McConnell

  and annual staff photo, 17
5

  and elections of 2008, 181–82

  and elections of 2014, 230, 240, 245, 247, 248

  and government shutdown of 2013, 234

  grilling hot dogs, 217

  and hiring decisions, 105–6

  and listening skills of McConnell, 224–25

  meeting of, secretly recorded, 222–23

  and open-door policy, 151

  party for, 107

  and recovery from heart surgery, 143

  and Senate Republican leader position, 160

  See also individual staff members

  Starr, Ken, 150

  Starr Report, 111

  statistics, 132

  Stephanopoulos, George, 136

  Steurer, Robert, 160

  Stevens, Ted, 178, 189

  Stewart, Don, 160, 164, 240

  Stieglitz, BJ, 142

  stimulus package of 2009, 186–87, 203, 204

  subprime mortgage crisis, 170–75

  Sullivan, Brendan, 178

  Sumner, Charles, 192

  Talent, Jim, 158

  taxes, 206, 209–10, 213–15

  Tea Party, 204, 224, 240

  television advertising, 61–64, 65

  term limits, 103

  Thatcher, Margaret, 200

  This Week, 136

  Thune, John, 176

  Thurmond, Strom, 135

  Tilden, Samuel J., 12

  Time magazine, 251–52

  tobacco farmers, 241

  Tocqueville, Alexis de, 2

  Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), 172–75, 230

  Truman, Harry, 153, 176, 203

  unemployment, 205

  United Flight 93, 128

  United Nations, 130

  University of Kentucky, 27, 35–36

  University of Louisville

  and Cardinals football, 1, 26, 78, 85

  as instructor at, 90–91

  and McConnell Center, 78, 135, 184, 201, 234, 243

  and NCAA championship, 222

  and undergraduate degree, 26–29, 31, 33

  US Army, 149

  US Bill of Rights, 96

  US Capitol, offices in, 145–46

  US Constitution, 21, 91, 96, 151

  US Department of Defense, 215–16

  US Department of Justice, 46

  US Federal Reserve, 170

  US House of Representatives

  and budget bill (2013), 217

  and budget negotiations, 209, 213–14, 232

  Democrat majority in, 161

  and elections of 1998, 110

  and elections of 2010, 204

  and Iraq War, 162

  leadership revolt in, 110

  majority rule in, 2

  Republican majority in, 95, 204, 205

  and Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), 173–74

  US Internal Revenue Service, 216

  US Senate

  ability to stand firm in, 90, 101–2

  ambitions of McConnell to serve in, 39, 40, 50

  and appointment of conferences, 93–94

 

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