McConnell looks out for the interests of his caucus
McConnell's move may have given GOP senators who are weary of being asked to congratulate Biden some cover. But unlike some of his colleagues, McConnell, who just won a new six-year term, is insulated from the fury of vengeful Trump voters with a new primary season looming. The veteran Kentucky lawmaker may also now feel the lash of conservative media commentators whose business model is deeply invested in Trump's baseless claims that the election was stolen and Biden will be an illegitimate President.
But his long history of Senate scheming suggests that his decision would have been rooted in a cool assessment of how to advance his constant goal: advancing the interests of his own caucus and solidifying his own power.
By waiting so long to greet Biden as President-elect after November's election, McConnell likely built the political capital he needs to shut down any embarrassing efforts by pro-Trump senators to block Biden's inevitable ascent to the presidency.
The majority leader gave the White House a heads up before he took to the Senate floor Tuesday to congratulate the President-elect, according to a source familiar with the matter. And McConnell, knowing how the President enjoys praise, opened his remarks by painting Trump's tenure as a period of rare accomplishments, praising him for delivering on promises of a Covid-19 vaccine, the economy, national security and veterans health care.
