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McConnell Targeting Future Opponents

In an eye-opening profile, Politico says U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is working hard to take down Democratic candidates and build up his party in the upcoming Kentucky elections to maintain power in Washington.The online news source reports McConnell, who is running for re-election in three years, is strategically targeting potential challengers including Governor Steve Beshear, former Mayor Jerry Abramson and Attorney General Jack Conway. Even political newcomer Alison Lundergan Grimes, who is seeking the party's nomination in the Democratic primary race for secretary of state is supposedly being singled out by the commonwealth's senior Senator.No place is McConnell's flexing more apparent than his support of Republican candidate for attorney general Todd P’Pool, who is running unopposed in the GOP primary and will face Conway in the general election.From Politico:If McConnell can weaken the field back home, he’ll be in a stronger position to claim the title of majority leader if Republicans take the Senate next year.

Earlier this month, McConnell headlined a fundraiser in Western Kentucky for the Republican candidate for attorney general, Todd P’Pool, that pulled in $100,000. McConnell’s former state director for two decades, Larry Cox, is the chairman of P’Pool’s campaign. McConnell, along with freshman Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, plans to headline another fundraiser for P’Pool in the coming weeks in Washington.

In response, Conway has sent out an e-mail message to supporters entitled “Say No to Mitch” that hammered the Minority Leader for taking money from "special interests."