Sunday, March 28, 1999
McConnell basks in spotlight
National media seek out Ky. senator
BY PAUL BARTON
Enquirer Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Some presidential candidates would die for the type of media exposure Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell has gotten in 1999.
The 2000 presidential race is about the only area of Washington news where he hasn't figured prominently.
On issues ranging from impeachment to Kosovo, the independent counsel law to the possible run of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Senate, the national media have sought Mr. McConnell's opinions.
He has made more than 60 appearances on television news programs since Dec. 20, been the focus of editorials and opinion pieces in The Washington Post and The New York Times, and the main attraction at numerous Capitol Hill news conferences.
Mr. McConnell, 57, is in only his second Congress as a member of the Senate leadership — heading up the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) — but the attention he's received this year has dwarfed that given to those higher up the GOP chain, including Don Nickles of Oklahoma, the assistant majority leader, and Connie Mark of Florida, the Republican conference chairwoman.
Political analysts say Republicans like seeing Mr. McConnell out in front on issues.
“One of the things conservatives are looking for is a nonstrident spokesman,” said Marshall Wittmann, analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
“He fills that bill with a professional, just-the-facts-ma'am approach — a Joe Friday approach to the issues.”
Larry Sabato, congressional expert at the University of Virginia, added, “He projects a suburban professional image that Republicans prefer.”
Mr. McConnell himself sees his sudden stardom resulting from his increased seniority in the Senate and his leadership position and committee assignments.
“This has been an intersection of position and influence with issues that have been hot,” the senator said.
First there was the impeachment saga.
Many media types scouted out Mr. McConnell as a source early because of his chairmanship of the Senate Rules Com mittee and his role briefing other members on trial procedure.
His chairmanship of the Rules Committee has also made him a major player in the debate over renewal of the independent counsel law. Mr. McConnell favors killing it.
His opinions on the situation in Kosovo carry weight because of his chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Foreign Operations.
And because he heads the NRSC, which guides Republican Senate election efforts, he is being beseiged with questions about the possible Senate candidacy in New York of Mrs. Clinton.
That's an easy one for him to respond to. Mr. McConnell says it would be a bonanza for Republican fund-raising efforts if she ran against New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani.
“If that campaign actually occurs it will be the most famous Senate race in America, almost rivaling the presidential race,” he said.
Mr. McConnell recently made news on Sunday shows by poking fun at Mrs. Clinton's flirtation with a candidacy from a state she doesn't live in.
He held up an “I Love New York” shirt and then showed how the state name on the shirt could easily be changed to New Jersey or Nevada, should she choose to run in either of those.
Mr. McConnell said his appearances on TV news shows like CNN's Crossfire are an assignment he enjoys because they bring back memories of law school debating days.
“I enjoy discussion with bright people and exchanging views, and hope I will be invited back from time to time,” he said.
Others say his smoothness on television is a clear asset for the party.
“What McConnell does is give Republicans talking points,” said Jack Pitney, a professor at Claremont McKenna College.
“Party activists can listen to him on television and pick up good lines and good arguments.”
He added, “Mitch McConnell has always been a very media-savvy politician.”
Mr. Sabato, the University of Virginia scholar, said Mr. McConnell projects a soothing image for Republicans on TV — one the party needs.
“He is calm and can debate well without being personal or offensive,” the political scientist said.
In addition, Mr. Sabato said, “He has a sense of humor.”
Other political observers say Senate Republicans feel grateful to him for his longstanding and controversial opposition to campaign finance reforms advocated by groups such as Common Cause.
“That made him a major player,” said CNN political analyst William Schneider.
Where Mr. McConnell goes from here is an open question, although the Kentucky senator insists he has no presidential aspirations.
Mr. Wittmann, though, can see him as a possible Republican vice presidential candidate next year because of his track record in Kentucky, a state that Democrats have dominated.
“Certainly a more moderate nominee might look to somebody like a McConnell to reach out to conservatives in the country,” Mr. Wittmann said.
“He presents conservative views in a nonthreatening manner.”
Mr. McConnell downplays such talk, however, saying: “I don't think that's going to happen. I don't think the vice presidential nominee is going to be anyone from the Congress.”
But few doubt that Mr. McConnell is priming himself for a move up the leadership ladder, should the opportunity present itself.
A key, Mr. Sabato said, said will be how Mr. McConnell does in his job as NRSC chairman. Republicans face a tough election in 2000, having to defend 19 Senate seats.
“If he gains seats for the Republicans or at least holds his own in the tough year 2000, he will have earned his battle stars,” Mr. Sabato said.
Said Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute: “I see him as challenging to move up.”
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