Published: November 14, 2008 05:49 pm      

McConnell discusses Bush, Williams, Duncan

But declines to answer on some subjects

LOUISVILLE — Mitch McConnell, fresh off his election to a fifth term, in a lengthy, wide-ranging interview talked about his relationship with President Bush, with Kentucky’s Senate President David Williams, and Kentucky’s future.



Here is some of what he had to say.



On President Bush: “It is mixed feelings that I see him leave office. Am I going to be relieved not to have to carry an anvil on my back? Yeah. But this comes from a guy who’s an admirer of his. I supported him on the war. I think he made the right call there. I think Iraq is going to end up being a great success. I think he made two great Supreme Court nominations. I think he was right on the prescription drug program for Medicare. I think he was right on the tax question. But there is no denying he became toxic politically and it was very difficult. It created the environment for the other party to win.”



On Mike Duncan’s future as RNC chairman: “It’s not clear. The committee will have an election in January. Nobody dictates their choice; the committee itself will decide who it wants the leader to be. I don’t know if Mike wants to run again or not. Obviously, he would be my pick if he wants to.”



On Williams: Does McConnell advise Williams on what strategy to pursue in the state Senate?

“I’ve always just laughed at that and he does, too. We are great political friends and allies. But it’s ludicrous to suggest David Williams, of all people, is taking instructions from me as to what he wants to do in state government. I’ve never given him any, never been so bold to offer any. We are close, we do talk a lot, but it’s never about: ‘Hey David, I think you ought to do this.'”



On Kentucky’s future: “I’m more optimistic than a lot of people. The key to Kentucky’s catching up is related to higher education and trying to develop two great universities. Gov. (Paul) Patton deserves a lot of credit for the higher education reform of 1997. I wasn’t involved in it, but I paid a lot of attention.”



He said the state and country need to promote math and science degrees and careers. And he hopes state lawmakers will find money for the Bucks for Brains program. But he wouldn’t comment on how to fund education.



“I’m not going to get into that. That sort of issue is going to have to be sorted out in Frankfort. I’m not going to go around gratuitously giving David and the governor advice on how to fund programs.”



Other areas of non-comment: McConnell, 66, wouldn’t speculate on his future beyond the six-year term to which he was just elected or on which Republicans might run for governor, except to say he thinks his party will offer a competitive ticket in 2011.



“Kentucky today, even though it’s 3-2 Democratic registration, is a competitive, two-party state. We’re not going to win ‘em all, but we are here to stay.”



RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com.