'Campaign gold': McConnell delivers election gift to Manchin and red-state Dems

[DonViejo]

The majority leader's comments on entitlements allow Democrats to change the conversation from Brett Kavanaugh.

By BURGESS EVERETT 10/21/2018 06:51 AM EDT Updated 10/21/2018 10:00 AM EDT

MARTINSBURG, W.Va — Joe Manchin looked like a solid bet for reelection after he voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh. But Mitch McConnell might have sealed the deal.

Facing some of the toughest campaigns of their careers, the West Virginia Democrat and his moderate colleagues believe they've received an unexpected gift from the Senate GOP leader. In a triumphant post-Kavanaugh media tour last week, the Kentucky Republican waxed about his regret over the missed opportunity to repeal Obamacare and the need to reform entitlement programs to rein in the federal deficit.

Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare are vital to West Virginia. And in an interview on Saturday as he prepared for the annual Apple Harvest Parade, Manchin called McConnell’s comments “absolutely ridiculous” and said his Republican opponent, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, would vote to curtail benefits “in a heartbeat.” Manchin also dredged up Morrisey’s support during a 2000 congressional race in New Jersey for partially privatizing Social Security funds.

“He’ll be a yes man, 1,000 percent, whatever they ask him to do,” Manchin said of Morrisey and GOP leaders.

Campaigning just a few feet away from Manchin in this Eastern Panhandle town, Morrisey dinged Manchin for being open to liberal health care policies and called him “one of the most dishonest politicians you’re going to find." Morrisey insisted he would do nothing to harm senior citizens' benefits.

more
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/21/entitlements-mcconnell-manchin-midterms-920027

[uponit7771]

1. I pray the DNC has the flexibility to use it

[oasis]

2. McConnell is the kind of liar who can't nail down the follow up.

The GOP has plenty of those morons in their leadership.