Sen. Chris McDaniel held an impromptu press conference on Thursday as the Senate met on the floor in the Capitol. He opened the floor for media to inquire about his recent decision to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race for Sen. Roger Wicker’s seat, and formally place his bid to run in the race for Sen. Cochran’s seat. He admitted he had not yet withdrawn papers from the Wicker race, or submitted papers for Cochran’s seat due to the sudden change in plans yesterday afternoon.
Cochran announced he would be stepping down effective April 1.
It’s no secret that McDaniel is on the side of “draining the swamp,” something he believes can be done by helping put him in Washington. He has been repeatedly vocal about his desire to see the Republican party united instead of being at war with each other. However, when asked if he would support fellow Republican Roger Wicker, whose race he will soon be exiting, he did not give a definitive answer:
LATEST: @senatormcdaniel jumps races to run for @SenThadCochran seat, leaving @SenatorWicker race behind. He preaches party unity, but will he endorse Republican Wicker? #mssen #msleg FIND OUT>> https://t.co/xXcB5i0IEL pic.twitter.com/0SHB3oQ0Op
— Yall Politics (@MSyallpolitics) March 15, 2018
“The better question is, will Roger Wicker endorse me? If he does then we can talk,” said McDaniel. He went on to describe Wicker as two different politicians. He said one Roger Wicker served for 24 years in D.C. with a very liberal voting record. He claims that Wicker has become more conservative since the Trump administration has taken office.
.@senatormcdaniel says it would be wise of @SenatorWicker to endorse him for Cochran’s Senate seat. He comments on Wickers voting record, however, he did not provide examples of party disagreement. #mssen READ MORE>> https://t.co/xXcB5i0IEL pic.twitter.com/V27B84Ofjk
— Yall Politics (@MSyallpolitics) March 15, 2018
Not endorsing Wicker seems to go against McDaniels own advice to unite the party. McDaniel deflected that suggestion when made and said it would be wiser for Wicker to endorse him, since he currently does not have a Republican opponent.
“I think Roger is a kind person, I actually like him personally very much. It’s his voting record I’m concerned with. I’m not looking to be a flame thrower and hurt people individually I’m trying to hold people accountable to a record they ran on,” said McDaniel.
So, what issues has Wicker voted on that McDaniel finds fault with in accordance with the Republican platform? Well, he didn’t have a specific example to give, saying “congress hasn’t been terribly effective anyway.”
When asked what issues @senatormcdaniel had with @SenatorWicker voting record he could not site anything specific over what he claims to be 24 years of liberal voting. Says he won’t endorse Wicker until Wicker endorses him. #mssen READ MORE>> https://t.co/xXcB5i0IEL pic.twitter.com/SJkKnHCvpg
— Yall Politics (@MSyallpolitics) March 15, 2018
“The one place I think he made a huge mistake, and I think it’s a Mitch McConnell mistake…a rule exists that was created not long ago that forces any legislation to have 60 votes to proceed,” said McDaniel. President Trump asked early in his administration that the Senate get rid of that rule, however they refused and that included a vote by Wicker. McDaniel said because of that refusal the President can’t pass his agenda.
The Governor is tasked with appointing an individual to replace Cochran until the election cycle. Clearly McDaniel thinks he is the right person for the job and blames influence by Mitch McConnell for Gov. Bryant’s position on the issue.
Just moments before McDaniels presser, the Governor was asked if McConnell had influenced his opinions on McDaniel or the appointment of the seat at all. The Governor laughed, and said he had nothing to do with it.
After hearing the news of McDaniels switch, Gov. Bryant took to social media to express his feelings on the decision:
Anyone who thinks anyone in Washington will influence who I appoint to complete Sen. Cochran’s term is out of touch with reality.
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) March 15, 2018
Later in the conversation, McDaniel sang the praises of Sen. Cochran, reminiscing on growing up in Mississippi and having great respect for Cochran and his political career. This is the same Senator he ran against in 2014, did not beat, then filed suit on to challenge the decision.
So far the only person to show interest in the Cochran race other than McDaniel is Mike Espy. McDaniel said if Espy does decide to run they will have a chance to discuss the issue, be cordial and leave the attack ads at home.
Sarah Ulmer
