Mitch McConnell Reveals Vision for a GOP Senate

ByJEFF ZELENY ABCNews logo
Monday, November 3, 2014

Sen. Mitch McConnell told ABC News today that Republicans would not make investigating the Obama administration a priority if the GOP wins control of the Senate.

"Obviously, we intend to be a responsible governing Republican majority, if the American people give us the chance to do that," McConnell said in a brief interview as he flew around Kentucky on the eve of the midterm elections.

McConnell was dismissive of calls from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and other Republicans to open Congressional hearings next year into the executive actions of the Obama administration.

"We're gonna do a combination of pointing out the things that we disagree on and the things we can possibly agree on," McConnell said. "And be a responsible governing Republican majority."

McConnell oozed with confidence when we caught up with him in Lexington during a statewide fly-around tour with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky. McConnell's contest against Alison Lundergan Grimes is the toughest political challenge of his career, but even Democrats here acknowledge he's taken command of the race.

"We're hopeful it's going to be a good night," McConnell said. "The polling down here is indicating that's likely to happen, and we're trying to make sure everybody votes."

If Republicans win six seats and claim a Senate majority, McConnell said it will be all due to the strong class of recruits -- and not repeating mistakes of the last two election cycles.

"You know, we've learned a couple lessons over the last two cycles that if you don't nominate really credible candidates you have a chance of not even taking advantage of a good year, and this could be a good year," McConnell said. "The American people I think want to go in a different direction. They know the only thing they can do in 2014 is change the Senate."

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