The Long Game
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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