McConnell re-elected Senate GOP leader, defeating challenger Rick Scott
NBCDec 23, 2022
The Facts
On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) won a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for his post, securing another two years as GOP Senate leader.
McConnell — the longest-serving GOP leader in Senate history — won the leadership vote 37-10, with one senator abstaining.
The Spin
Narrative A
McConnell has proven he can no longer effectively lead the GOP in the Senate. This election cycle, he undermined the party by criticizing the quality of the candidates. He also spent too much on incumbents and short-changed challengers, leaving Scott to make up the spending deficit. This is a disappointing outcome.
Narrative B
Knowing he had no shot at upending McConnell, Scott was merely trying to save face for his failures in the midterms. His challenge to the leader was nothing more than an attempt to make McConnell look bad, pass the buck for the GOP’s shortcomings and, most importantly, win favor with former Pres. Trump, whose disdain for McConnell is well known.