McConnell's evolving views on Donald Trump

Washington Examiner:
Just two years ago, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was looking for a way to defeat Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary, and told colleagues they would “drop him like a hot rock” if the flamboyant real estate mogul won the nomination.

Two years later, McConnell is impressed with Trump's results, which include ushering in the most important Republican initiatives in a generation, and shifting the Supreme Court in a conservative direction for the first time in decades.

“This Congress has been the best two years of my time here,” McConnell told the Washington Examiner in a Capitol interview before the Senate left town to campaign ahead of the Nov. 6 election.

McConnell’s steered clear of discussing Trump’s presidential style when asked to explain how his view of Trump has evolved since rejecting his early candidacy in 2016. But he said he's measuring Trump by what he accomplishes.

“I look at the results,” he said.

Trump’s presidency has helped McConnell seal his legacy as the Senate GOP leader who confirmed two Supreme Court justices and a record number of lower court judges. That list includes 29 appointees to the powerful appeals courts, with more likely to come later this year.
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McConnell distinguishes Trump’s fervent followers with the traditional Republican base but said the recent confirmation fight over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is a uniting factor for all Republicans.

“He has a fervent group of supporters that are very helpful to us,” McConnell told the Washington Examiner.

The Kavanaugh confirmation battle, he said, has created momentum in competitive red states' Senate races.

“It’s because the Supreme Court underscored why the Senate is important,” McConnell said.
...
He sounds a lot like many of the other reluctant Trump supporters who have come around to strong support for Trump.  President Trump probably has more support now than he did when he was elected.  Some still cringe at aspects of his persona, but they like the results he is achieving.

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