Ryan Fournier is founder of Students for Trump. Speaking on American Family Radio Thursday, he credited the 82-year-old McConnell, of Kentucky, for his work during the administration of former President Donald Trump and for his record of helping with conservative judicial appointments.
After that, however, McConnell's usefulness for conservative efforts plummeted, Fournier told show host Jenna Ellis.
"A lot of the things he's done after the fact have really not helped the party or the movement, especially when you look at where the establishment is now. Paul Ryan is out, Liz Cheney's out, Mitt Romney is going to be out. Adam Kinzinger is out. Kevin McCarthy is out as [House] Speaker – and now Mitch McConnell is out," Fournier said.
"Mitch McConnell's leadership is one of a few really bright spots and a lot of missed opportunities – so I think a lot of conservatives are happy to see him go. There's definitely a feeling these days in our country that people are very weary of this kind of older leadership. People are longing for new and energetic solutions, realizing that the policies and the approach that folks like McConnell have taken in the past really no longer work." Jameson Taylor |
McConnell will no longer serve as leader but plans to serve the remainder of his Senate term which ends in January of 2027, The Associated Press reported. It's the second GOP shake-up move announced in two days. Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee chair, announced on Tuesday that she will step on down March 8.
Several names have been mentioned as a McConnell replacement. Fournier endorsed another Kentuckian, Rand Paul.
"[McConnell] should have stepped down yesterday. A new leader for the party in the Senate would help us win elections, especially if it were somebody like Rand Paul, who is already getting blasted across the internet as the preferred candidate right now," Fournier said.
Paul, who describes himself at a constitutional conservative, gained fame during the pandemic for news coverage of his questioning of COVID czar Anthony Fauci.
Republicans may also choose from a first John, second John or third John. Minority whip John Thune (R-South Dakota), former whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) and GOP Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) have all been mentioned as possible replacements. [Editor's note: Cornyn tossed his hat into the ring earlier today)
Fournier argues there's an unfortunate connection between McConnell's lengthy career and the rising national debt.
"The important thing that people just don't get is this guy's been in [the Senate] since 1985. He became majority whip in 2003. The national debt in 2003 was like $6.7 trillion. Yesterday it was $34.4 trillion. He became the GOP leader in 2007," Fournier said.
Friend to Democrats?
It's not just about rising debt, he continued.
"The timeline of his career, the endless wars, you talk about Ukraine and about him helping the Democrats sending billions to Ukraine, helping the Democrats advance restrictions on Second Amendment rights after Uvalde (Texas school shooting) happened," Fournier said.
"One more notable thing too, which Tucker Carlson explained back in 2021, where [McConnell told Trump] that, 'If you go and pardon Julian Assange, we'll secure these impeachment votes against you' in that last impeachment," Fournier said.
Carlson reported that McConnell sent word to Trump that "if you pardon Julian Assange, we are much more likely to convict you in an impeachment trial."
Assange founded WikiLeaks, which in 2010 published a series of leaks from U.S. Army intelligence analyst "Chelsea" Manning, which included footage of a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, military logs from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and U.S. diplomatic communications.
McConnell's leadership was more conservative under Trump, perhaps, but some say it's the popularity of Trump – who has made quick work of the GOP primary field as the presumed nominee – that has McConnell heading for the door.
"I think it's a reflection of Mitch's understanding of the room. I think it's a reflection of both his personal situation as he described eloquently in his speech and his reading of the political climate and his respect for that," Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said in the wake of McConnell's announcement.
Senate opposition of McConnell was on the rise
McConnell's critics have continued to mount, The Hill reported Wednesday.
Longtime critics like Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) have been joined by a younger guard of Trump-aligned senators like JD Vance (R-Ohio), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Rick Scott (R-Florida) and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri).
"There's a lot to take in here. The time should have happened years ago, but I'm glad it's happening now," Fournier said.
3/1/2024 - Sidebar added
