Even Mitch McConnell's campaign manager doesn't like Mitch McConnell
An embarrassing leaked recording doesn't bode well for McConnell's re-election effort


A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
When facing a difficult re-election fight, it's probably best if your own campaign team stands united behind you.
Unfortunately, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) doesn't appear to have that luxury, after his own campaign manager was caught on tape saying he was "holding his nose" while working for the Senate's top Republican.
Jesse Benton, McConnell's campaign head, held that same position under Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) during Paul's insurgent run to Congress in 2010. In a recorded phone conversation made by former Ron Paul aide Dennis Fusaro and obtained by Economic Policy Journal, Benton remarked offhandedly that he was only working for McConnell because he thought it would benefit his old boss down the road.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Between you and me, I'm sorta holding my nose for two years, cause what we're doing here is gonna be a big benefit to Rand in '16," he said.
Paul is believed to be considering a 2016 White House bid, and early polls have shown him at or near the front of the pack in a GOP presidential primary.
The full recording of the call, which reportedly took place January 19, is below. In it, Fusaro asked Benton about an alleged scheme in which Ron Paul's campaign sought to buy the support of influential Iowa politicians during the Republican presidential primary.
Benton's move to the McConnell campaign was supposed to shore up the senator's Tea Party cred and stave off a primary challenge from the right. Yet the leaked call underscored just how strained the relationship has become between McConnell and the party's right wing in Kentucky.
McConnell already has a primary challenger in the form of Matt Bevin, a Tea Party-backed businessman who has been seeking the support of influential conservative groups like the Club for Growth. Bevin's campaign manager gloated over the leaked tape, saying in a statement to Talking Points Memo, "Even Mitch McConnell's campaign manager, Jesse Benton, thinks something stinks with the Mitch McConnell campaign."
Benton said in a statement released by the McConnell campaign that it was "truly sick" that someone would record his private phone calls, adding, "I believe in Senator McConnell and am 100 percent committed to his re-election."
McConnell, for his part, privately reaffirmed his support for Benton as well.
Despite his deep unpopularity and the threat of challengers on the left and right, McConnell remains the early favorite in his re-election race.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
The daily business briefing: September 22, 2023
Business Briefing Rupert Murdoch steps down as Fox, News Corp. chair, Cisco to buy Splunk in $28 billion cash deal, and more
By Harold Maass Published
-
Mini-budget one year on: how the Truss-Kwarteng growth plan lingers
The Explainer Commentators say 'moron premium' has subsided but UK 'still stuck in first gear'
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Hail Mary
Cartoons
By The Week Staff Published
-
Trump surrenders in Georgia election subversion case
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries chosen to succeed Pelosi as leader of House Democrats
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
GOP leader Kevin McCarthy's bid for House speaker may really be in peril
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Are China's protests a real threat for Beijing?
opinion The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
By Harold Maass Published
-
Who is Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist who dined with Trump and Kanye?
Speed Read From Charlottesville to Mar-a-Lago in just five years
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Jury convicts Oath Keepers Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy in landmark Jan. 6 verdict
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
A look at the White House's festive and homey holiday decor
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
Bob Iger addresses 'Don't Say Gay' bill, says inclusion is part of Disney's values
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published