Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised the Republican electoral triumph, forecasting a brighter future for the party with regained control.
According to Fox News, Mitch McConnell commended President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican Party for flipping key states and reclaiming the Senate majority.
Mitch McConnell, addressing reporters, drew a parallel between Trump's projected electoral win and historical U.S. presidential terms. "What he's accomplished has not been done, as all of you know, since [former President] Grover Cleveland, which was a while back," McConnell noted, highlighting the significance of Trump’s win, which mirrors the non-consecutive presidential terms of Cleveland.
McConnell stressed the effectiveness of Trump's campaign managers, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, in orchestrating a more efficient campaign strategy this electoral cycle.
"They deserve a lot of credit," he added. This praise comes despite past criticisms and public tensions between McConnell and Trump.
McConnell, known for his strategic acumen, expressed confidence earlier in the year about the GOP's prospects. This confidence stemmed from anticipated Republican performances in key battleground states which, according to projections by the Fox News Decision Desk, led to the GOP regaining the Senate majority.
McConnell mentioned that while some Senate races have yet to declare winners, the already determined seats ensure a Republican majority.
"Based on the fact that we haven't got all the results, and we certainly already know we're going to be in the majority, we're hopeful that that might grow some," McConnell indicated his hopes for an even stronger Senate presence.
With a note of playful jousting typical of past exchanges, President Trump commented on McConnell's endorsement, suggesting ambivalence about their political alliance. "Can you believe he endorsed me?" Trump remarked, illustrating the complex relationship between the two leaders.
Mitch McConnell also reflected on his time in congressional leadership, expressing a preference for leading with a majority. "I've been the majority leader. I've been a minority leader. The majority is a lot better," he said.
Despite announcing he would not seek the role of party leader again, McConnell's influence remains significant in guiding the Republican caucus.
Looking forward, McConnell credited the leadership of Steve Daines, R-Mont., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, for the party’s strong performance in the elections. This gratitude underscores the collective effort behind the GOP’s electoral strategy and their consequential victories.
Despite previous criticisms where Trump mocked McConnell and McConnell's harsh words about Trump in "The Price of Power," their collaboration has yielded substantial political gains. McConnell’s endorsement, while surprising to some given their tumultuous history, aligns with his commitment to party success over personal differences.
