President George W. Bush recently released his memoirs. Inside this tome is a new view of the administration as seen from the perspective of the former President. What’s also included are revelations about his relationship with certain members of Congress. According to the former President, in 2006 then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) came to him and urged the President to “bring some troops home from Iraq.” He said if he did not, that it would cost the GOP control of Congress. Bush, being a man of conviction (no matter what you may think of those convictions), said no. Thus far, Senator McConnell has yet to flatly deny Bush’s account of their conversation. If true, and with McConnell’s lack of denial it probably is, then Mitch McConnell does not deserve to be involved in Republican US Senate Leadership and, frankly, no longer deserves the title of US Senator.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not tools to be used for political gain. The lives of Iraqis, Afghans, Americans, and our allies are not to be used for political purposes. War efforts and plans should be based on solid strategy from trained military advisors, not based on what’s politically expedient. That’s part of what lost the Vietnam War. War strategy shall not be based on whether or not it will help the incumbent party to win elections. Mitch McConnell’s attempt to do just that is shameful and not befitting a person in his position.

That said – I call upon our newly elected Republican US Senators and those incumbents who care about our troops to call for McConnell’s resignation as Senate Minority Leader. I call upon them to seek new leadership, be it from the likes of Minority Whip Jon Kyl or from an outsider like US Senator Tom Coburn, I care very little – but McConnell can no longer be trusted and does not deserve his post.

In 2014, I hope the voters of Kentucky do not forget that their Senior Senator was ready to throw our troops under the bus for the potential political gains. He did not do it for their best interests or the best interests of this nation, but for his own best interests and the best interests of the power he hoped to wield. It’s disgraceful. I hope US Senator-elect Rand Paul (R-KY) remembers what little help McConnell was in his bid. I hope he remembers this revelation. I hope he endorses and strongly supports a primary opponent to Mitch McConnell. My suggestion? Incumbent Commissioner of Argiculture Richie Farmer or Former Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence, but I’m sure there are Kentucky residents who know of solid, Republicans who support our conservative principles and won’t put personal power over our national security.

Cross-posted to Old Line Elephant