What Have These Republicans Been Up To?

Big Sunday round-up for you:

Kentucky: The Louisville Courier-Journal decimates Senate GOP "leader" Mitch McConnell in an editorial entitled "Cash over conscience." (HT: David Donnelly) The editorial answers its own question of "Who is Mitch McConnell?":

Not just a Republican leader dutifully standing with his party's president, but an embracing partisan ally of Mr. Bush, willing to accept, excuse or deny all of this administration's substantial failings in order to trade on its fealty to the moneyed interests and swell his own re-election campaign stash.

Since Mr. McConnell's political career has been based on the primacy of money, and the desires of those who give it, this makes a certain kind of sense.

He long ago became one of the legendary money grubbers in modern American politics, in order to buy TV time for commercials that demean, disgrace and ultimately defeat his opponents.

Ouch! "One of the legendary money grubbers in modern American politics..." A happy enabler of the Bush administration's many failings. Fits in well with the McConnell Republicans narrative.

New Mexico: TPM has been crazy on top of the possible Pete Domenici scandal. Domenici, in relation to the Iglesias situation, previously said "I have no idea what he's talking about." Now, Domenici admits to calling Iglesias, but only to inquire about an ongoing investigation (which is questionable enough, no?), not to pressure or threaten Iglesias. The currently-hypothetical "Domenici Subpoenaed" headline may become more real in the near future!

Oregon: Another TPM catch. Gordon Smith, who seems to believe anything that will have the fewest Oregonians mad at him, admits that General Patraeus told him that the escalation plan is woefully inadequate and only has a one-in-four chance of success. Why then, Gordo, did you limit debate on Bush's escalation?!?

Maine: Turn Maine Blue diarist pca67 wonders why Susan Collins, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, has done nothing to offer any real oversight on the hideous Walter Reed fiasco. Could it be that Susan Collins lacks the leadership necessary to, well, care, much less effect any change? Fortunately, Tom Allen is waiting in the wings; speaking of, here is an unofficial Allen for Senate blog. Expect the calls for Allen to enter to only get louder as Two-Faced Susan continues doing, well, nothing.

Oklahoma: Now, I'm not one for inflammatory rhetoric simply for its own sake, but did Jim "In Denial" Inhofe "proudly" declare that he is a "Holocaust denier" at CPAC?!? (HT: DKos diarist BooMan23)

Iowa: Note to Iowa's Congressional Republicans, many of whose former comrades lie in the wake of the Harkin Train: Senator Tom Harkin is assembling a fierce re-election team.

Thanks to MissLaura at Daily Kos for showing the Guru some front page love!