Tea Partier Bevin: McConnell ‘Failed As A Leader’ In Filibuster Fight

Matt Bevin of Louisville, Ky., speaks during the 133rd Annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. Bevin, a Louisville businessman, will face off against Sen. Mitch McConnell in the primary e... Matt Bevin of Louisville, Ky., speaks during the 133rd Annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. Bevin, a Louisville businessman, will face off against Sen. Mitch McConnell in the primary election for the republican party ticket. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) MORE LESS
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Tea Partier Matt Bevin, who is challenging Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the GOP primary for McConnell’s Senate seat, said the Kentucky Republican failed to stop Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) from changing the filibuster.

Bevin released a statement slamming both Reid and McConnell shortly after Reid moved forward with the “nuclear option” that would eliminate filibusters for executive and judicial nominations (save the Supreme Court). The statement, sent out to supporters, said that “Mitch McConnell failed as a leader in this fight to stop the blatant disregard for the rules.”

“Kentuckians deserve better than a pretend leader who does nothing more than wave his arms for the cameras or a candidate who refuses to make up her mind,” Bevin said. “The ‘nuclear option’ vote is an egregious overreach and highlights the same arrogant thinking of career politicians that also led to the government shutdown. As senator, I will fight the efforts of liberals like President Obama and Harry Reid to ensure they do not run roughshod over the rules yet again.”

In the same statement Bevin also criticized Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), also running for McConnell’s seat, for, according to the Bevin campaign, only saying that the filibuster changes are “worth exploring.”

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