After Tuesday’s disappointing showing, in which the red tsunami was not realized, Florida Senator Marco Rubio is suggesting that the vote to elect the Republican leader of the Senate to be delayed.
The Senate GOP leadership vote next week should be postponed
First we need to make sure that those who want to lead us are genuinely committed to fighting for the priorities & values of the working Americans (of every background) who gave us big wins in states like #Florida
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 11, 2022
After a convincing win against Val Demings (a well-funded Democrat), Rubio joined Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, in calling for the delay.
Exactly right. I don’t know why Senate GOP would hold a leadership vote for the next Congress before this election is finished. We have a runoff in #GASenate – are they saying that doesn’t matter? Don’t disenfranchise @HerschelWalker https://t.co/atIETyoCKY
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 11, 2022
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is the longest-serving leader of either party. He has held the position since 2007. Is Rubio’s call for delay of the vote an attempt to “Ditch Mitch”? McConnell, who has held the position since 2007, is a well-known strategist and was praised for his role in nominating conservative judges in the Trump administration. However, many voters find him as inspirational as any rock. In August, McConnell spoke in preparation for the midterms.
The House is more likely to flip than the Senate, I believe. The Senate races are very different. They’re statewide. The outcome of the election depends on how qualified the candidate is.
Mitch, you are a great way to get the base excited! You criticize your party’s candidates, while simultaneously implying that you don’t believe the GOP can win back the Senate majority. This is not the best way to get people to the polls. It almost seems like he was deliberately trying to lower GOP turnout.
Blake Masters getting dollars yanked from his race when he needed it most should cost Mitch McConnell his leadership position. Whether Blake wins or not. That’s honesty inexcusable. https://t.co/bn0EbYItfD
— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) November 10, 2022
It is not clear who would be able to beat McConnell for the position. (Maybe Hawley? Rubio’s Florida senator colleague Rick Scott was believed to be considering a challenge. He had apparently received the blessing of former President Donald Trump. According to Politico, it appears that he has retreated for the moment.
McConnell was in danger of being challenged by Senator Rick Scott from Florida, according to Republicans briefed on the plans. McConnell then decided against a bid Wednesday morning [November 9, 2009]. It was then that it became clear that Republicans might not capture the majority, and there was to have a Senate runoff.
CNN reported, however, that McConnell is currently in a strong spot:
McConnell has worked for months to secure the votes. Scott was told by CNN last month that McConnell has the votes.
Despite the underwhelming performance of Tuesday’s midterm elections, it is clear that Republicans are still divided. Brad Slager, my colleague, said that Senator Rubio and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are both bright spots in the GOP universe. They showed this by convincingly defeating their Democrat counterparts, even in heavily blue Miami-Dade County. We should learn from their strategies for the future.
While Mitch may retain his leadership position for the moment, expect other Republicans’ dissatisfaction to be expressed as well. It would be a good idea for him to pay more attention.
