May 19, 2009
Posted: May 19th, 2009 02:40 PM ET

From
Jim Bunning today called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a 'control freak.'
Jim Bunning today called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a 'control freak.'

(CNN) – Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning is maintaining his reputation for holding the most entertaining conference calls in Congress, telling reporters listening in to his latest teleconference Tuesday that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is a "control freak."

"McConnell is leading the ship, but he is leading it in the wrong direction," Bunning said of his fellow Kentucky senator, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. "If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me, it could be the best thing that ever happened to me in Kentucky."

The embattled Bunning has openly butted heads with his party's leadership since declaring earlier this year his intention to seek a third Senate term. Both McConnell and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have been tepid on a reelection bid for Bunning, who narrowly escaped defeat in 2004 and is likely to face the same Democratic opponent next year.

In previous conference calls, Bunning has pledged to sue the NRSC if they support another Republican candidate, and that he doesn't "believe anything [NRSC Chairman] John Cornyn says."

Bunning, 77, has also hit back at reported statements from McConnell that the former baseball star is too old to seek another Senate term.

"Do you know Arlen Specter will be 80, has had four bouts with cancer and he still wants to run for the U.S. Senate?" Bunning told reporters on the call earlier this month. "And I'm being criticized at 77 and healthy for wanting to run for the U.S. Senate by certain leadership people in my party. Give me a break."

Filed under: Jim Bunning • Mitch McConnell


Grog in Ohio   May 19th, 2009 4:13 pm ET

Steve, Columbia SC May 19th, 2009 3:05 pm ET

And now he is acting like a left wing extremist Demoncrat………if they can't get what they want in an election, let's sue and take it to court.
------------

Yeah... like Bush v. Gore... no... wait.

Typical conservative genius at work.

Teleprompter of the U.S.   May 19th, 2009 4:12 pm ET

Mr. Bunning don't feel bad, the U.S. public believes just as much from Democrats as they do Republicans. When coming from Pelosi they believe 0% of what she says.

Peter   May 19th, 2009 4:10 pm ET

So? Bunning is a moron

Taa Taa   May 19th, 2009 4:09 pm ET

Steve, Columbia, SC, don't you feel stupid on this site.. You are the only nutjob defending your republican nutjobs.. I see you on every site saying the same old tired rhetori... Oh that's right, you're a GOPer, you have no different ideas.. Nothing new at all... Get outta here and go join Rush Dumbo and the crew....

Jane   May 19th, 2009 4:07 pm ET

How about that good ole Republican unity!!! LOL

Tommy Redcloud   May 19th, 2009 4:07 pm ET

They are so cute when they eat their young.

Moderate Democrat   May 19th, 2009 4:02 pm ET

Steve, Columbia SC May 19th, 2009 3:05 pm ET

And now he is acting like a left wing extremist Demoncrat………if they can't get what they want in an election, let's sue and take it to court.
----------------
Two words: Norm Coleman

(What an idiot, try reading some moron!)

kayla   May 19th, 2009 3:59 pm ET

i agree, mcconnell always look like he's smelling something.

Rick Roberts   May 19th, 2009 3:59 pm ET

I just had a great thought. The Dems should award Rush with some kind of trophy. One that says "THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP". Think about it, he has the conservatives of the GOP fighting with the moderates. All the Dems have to do is shut up and let them destroy themselves. You gotta love them. LOL

GOPer   May 19th, 2009 3:51 pm ET

I agree, McConnell is whacked. He is dragging the party down with his unusual comments, bizarre press conferences and over the top purveyor of the word "NO". Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but as a leader he has sarcasm and no solutions!

Had It   May 19th, 2009 3:49 pm ET

I wish they had gotten rid of Mc Connell – he's the one I can' stand.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   May 19th, 2009 3:48 pm ET

I don't think Senator Bunning has much to worry about–Rand Paul is going to give him an easy excuse to retire.

The Broker.   May 19th, 2009 3:42 pm ET

Does he work for CNN?

Kentucky   May 19th, 2009 3:41 pm ET

Bunning is right on this issue and all Kentuckians know that McConnell is a control freak. McConnell is a joke but so is Bunning too.
Jack Conway will be the next senator from Kentucky.....

Tessa   May 19th, 2009 3:34 pm ET

As a resident of Kentucky, I'm so completely ashamed that my state's senators are behaving in such a manner. There's Mitch McConnell who had to take a tour bus around the state to prove that he's still in touch with voters... And the dim-wit Jim Bunning, who seems to believe that any press is good press. Someone please tell him that it's not.

Kevin in Ohio   May 19th, 2009 3:33 pm ET

Even Republicans need term limits...... this is a prime example.

Erin   May 19th, 2009 3:31 pm ET

The Republican emplosion is like catnip to me. I cannot get enough.

rich   May 19th, 2009 3:26 pm ET

It's amazing to witness how Republicans eat each other alive. They don't care how they bite and chew each other...the just bite and chew each other indiscrimatively. LOL. Nevertheless, I luv being a public voyer to their canabilism. It's quite satisfying and entertaining all the while.

ANGIE IN PA   May 19th, 2009 3:24 pm ET

Eating their own again? What shambles the Gop Is in!

Bev - NYC   May 19th, 2009 3:23 pm ET

Wow, someone resisting the Republican Borg collective. This race will be interesting. If Bunning is too old to run, McConnell should have a few words with McCain since he will be 73 if reelected.

Dutch/Bad Newz,VA   May 19th, 2009 3:22 pm ET

I love the republicans bashing each other. I figure we'll see this for another 18 months. If you ask me, if your hair is white as snow, you're too old to be in Congress. I respect the experience that most of these old guys have, but how are they suppose to pass effective legislation if they can't relate to a youthful audience?

carolyn   May 19th, 2009 3:21 pm ET

Jim Bunning is a fine man and if I still lived in Ky. I would be honored to vote for him. He has more character in his little finger that Mitch has in his entire hand.

rick perry   May 19th, 2009 3:12 pm ET

I would like to see all politicians thrown in jail for crimes against the constitution and to the citizens of the USA.George Washington and Ben Franklin are Rolling Over in their graves over the crimes the leaders of this country have done.As for Jim Bunning,He made me sick with his tough guy approach.2 terms is all you need Bunning

Peter E   May 19th, 2009 3:11 pm ET

We need to impose the same mandatory retriement age on congressmen as we do on everybody else in MAerica. Seriously, they are not just out of touch with today's American voters, but with all of reality. Either that, or impose the same term limits on them as we do on the president!

Steve, Columbia SC   May 19th, 2009 3:05 pm ET

And now he is acting like a left wing extremist Demoncrat.........if they can't get what they want in an election, let's sue and take it to court.

Dave   May 19th, 2009 3:04 pm ET

With a party like that, who needs enemies?

Ted Tartaglia   May 19th, 2009 2:58 pm ET

Isn't it fun watching the Republic party implode!

Geez   May 19th, 2009 2:58 pm ET

WHY is this guy still crying the blues? AND who the hell cares?

Sam I Am   May 19th, 2009 2:55 pm ET

Mr. Bunning, it has nothing to do with your age. It has everything to do with your politics. Even Kentucky is tired of you. I'd tell you to go home, but they might not let you back.

Stormer   May 19th, 2009 2:52 pm ET

How nice. The GOP continues to shoot itself in the foot by going after its own moderate voices. It appears that the only reason the GOP claims to have a "Big Tent" is to house the egos of its party leaders.

Peter (CA)   May 19th, 2009 2:52 pm ET

Ah, some more good news today.

barking republican ankle biters   May 19th, 2009 2:51 pm ET

Well at least you got one thing right Jim,old turtlehead has lost his mind.

Greg from MA   May 19th, 2009 2:50 pm ET

The Republicans eat their own. It what happens when a species is on the brink of extinction, ironically enough.

Biff Hedrickson   May 19th, 2009 2:50 pm ET

Senator Bunning, Sounds like you are really ready for the barn. Go ahead and relax into your retirement with a Job Well Done.

joe smith   May 19th, 2009 2:49 pm ET

as a former baseball star, before the days of roids, mr. bunning comes very well equipped to handle the adversities a paid mouthpiece for AIPAC has to say, and his party. we hope mr. bunning prevails in his quest for a third term..not many no-nonsense, men of integrety left in d.c...

Moderate Democrat   May 19th, 2009 2:46 pm ET

"In previous conference calls, Bunning has pledged to sue the NRSC if they support another Republican candidate, and that he doesn't "believe anything [NRSC Chairman] John Cornyn says."

Mr. Bunning, don't feel bad, only 21% of america believes anything the republicans as a whole say. It's good to see you waking up from your long sleep! Better late then never!

Dwayne   May 19th, 2009 2:44 pm ET

Here's a thought. Become a blue dog democrat?

Tulsa   May 19th, 2009 2:44 pm ET

LOL the Republican party just keeps the laughs coming!

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