# McConnell: traitors in the senate; do stories like this matter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 8, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703 "2013-10-08T18:15:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/1 "2013-10-08T18:15:11Z")
I hadn’t been to Free Republic in a while, and decided to stroll over there to see what they were upset about now. There is a story out of [Glenn Beck’s show](http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/10/08/heres-the-republican-senator-who-allegedly-insinuated-freedomworks-supporters-were-traitors-in-ruthless-closed-door-meeting/) which I can’t say is true or false: > [@](#): > > Glenn Beck on Tuesday revealed the name of a Republican senator who allegedly insinuated that supporters of FreedomWorks and the Senate Conservatives Fund are traitors to the party: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell is up for reelection in 2014, and is facing a primary from the right and, apparently, a decent candidate on the left. Do stories like this, Glenn Beck nuttiness in general, impact a race like McConnell’s or is everyone who would be impacted by this already going to vote for anyone primary-ing him from the right? I guess the question is: When Freepers go after Republicans, is it effective? And is this the type of story that will have legs within the Tea Party? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/2 "2013-10-08T18:51:34Z")
It’s as sure as the sun rises in the east that McConnell is very worried about the Tea Party knocking him off in a primary. However, Rand Paul and McConnell have been very close lately, which is interesting because… well, they shouldn’t be. But I can’t help but say that I believe Glenn Beck less than any person alive. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/3 "2013-10-08T18:54:44Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > But I can’t help but say that I believe Glenn Beck less than any person alive. Yeah, though I don’t know if it matters if it’s true IF the Freepers and their ilk buy it. It’s really more a question of the story than the facts. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/4 "2013-10-08T19:36:33Z")
I have a hard time finding my way through all of the weasel-words and cutouts, there. Who actually said what? ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/5 "2013-10-08T22:14:48Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > However, Rand Paul and McConnell have been very close lately, which is interesting because… well, they shouldn’t be. McConnell has backed a filibuster of almost everything. His differences with Paul are about as relevant as the differences between Lilliput and Blefescu in a world where they threw all the eggs at Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/6 "2013-10-19T07:34:21Z")
Does he hold in his hand a list of the traitors in the Senate? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/7 "2013-10-19T08:30:35Z")
“allegedly insinuated” ? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/8 "2013-10-19T13:44:50Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > McConnell has backed a filibuster of almost everything. His differences with Paul are about as relevant as the differences between Lilliput and Blefescu in a world where they threw all the eggs at Obama. Are they true conservatives who throw their eggs little end first, or RINOs who throw them big end first? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/9 "2013-10-20T02:57:02Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > However, Rand Paul and McConnell have been very close lately, which is interesting because… well, they shouldn’t be. Randy Paul is one of the most duplicitous, ego-centric people in American politics. McConnell would be a fool to trust him. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/10 "2013-10-20T03:27:55Z")
I sincerely doubt that trust is a factor here. ---
**Author:** ![Werekoala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7993a0/32.png) [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/11 "2013-10-20T06:08:18Z")
Just remember that the only overriding factor in any election is how motivated a certain faction is to get out and vote. Nothing matters aside from people in the voting booth on election day. So, a better question is - are there enough people pissed at McConnell in his district to vote him out come election day? This includes a subset of people not willing to vote against him, but too bored or dissatisfied with him to go vote FOR him. Figure that out, you’ll know which way the wind blows. And make a lot of money as an analyst. So to the OP - does it matter that stories like this are out there? Of course it does - to people already primed to vote against McConnell. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/12 "2013-10-20T06:29:05Z")
So, if enough people vote against him, he may lose? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/13 "2013-10-20T18:25:20Z")
Seems McConnell is [shifting focus off the Tea Bagger primary opponent Brevin](http://www.kentucky.com/2013/10/17/2880921/mitch-mcconnell-debt-deal-undermines.html) and to his Democratic opponent Alison Grimes. I seem to recall that in 2012, the Tea Baggers backed a majority of losing candidates, though that was a presidential and not a primary. He doesn’t seem too worried about Brevin though, so that’s a metaphoric “fuck you” to the Freepers and their ilk that he doesn’t believe they can him ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/14 "2013-10-20T18:41:08Z")
I’m gonna guess he figures that any attention he pays to the TP guy is just free publicity. Further guessing that some major funders for the Insane Clown Posse are hedging their bets, so that Bevin guys needs the free publicity since he is low on bucks. Of course, what he wants for Christmas is for the TP guy to give up and go away, not even run. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/15 "2013-10-20T19:05:30Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I’m gonna guess he figures that any attention he pays to the TP guy is just free publicity. Further guessing that some major funders for the Insane Clown Posse are hedging their bets, so that Bevin guys needs the free publicity since he is low on bucks. > > Of course, what he wants for Christmas is for the TP guy to give up and go away, not even run. Dear Lord 😃 I would pay cash money to see someone Photoshop pictures of congress persons as juggalos. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/16 "2013-10-20T20:09:19Z")
My son, the Err Apparent, is not always right. But whenever he brings me a current cultural artifact and says “Dad, you’re _really_ gonna _hate_ these guys!”… ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/17 "2013-10-21T04:06:37Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I sincerely doubt that trust is a factor here. You are right, I was wrong. Trust is the wrong word. Randy Paul is such a lying piece of shit, Mitch McConnell would have to be a punk ass chump to cozy up to him with the expectation it would do him any good come election time. Better? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/18 "2013-10-21T05:01:57Z")
What you heard was not what I said, but I’m sorry about what you heard. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/19 "2013-10-21T13:51:14Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Dear Lord 😃 > I would pay cash money to see someone Photoshop pictures of congress persons as juggalos. Given the billions of dollars of economic damage wrought by the shutdown hissy fit, pictures of the perpetrators as the Joker from _The Dark Knight_ torching a big pile of money might be more apropos. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-traitors-in-the-senate-do-stories-like-this-matter/670703/20 "2013-10-22T01:07:40Z")
> [@Werekoala](#): > > So to the OP - does it matter that stories like this are out there? Of course it does - to people already primed to vote against McConnell. There has to be some non-zero number of people who are torn between McConnell and his primary opponent, or who would otherwise be supportive of McConnell because they see him as a candidate who the Tea Party should support already.