It must take a lot — as in a whole lot — to make Mitch McConnell angry.
Consider what he has said about the prospects of a contested Republican National Convention this summer.
The U.S. Senate majority leader said he is “optimistic” that the convention will go to a second ballot or even longer as it tries to nominate someone to be the GOP’s next presidential candidate.
What does that mean? It means that Sen. Ted Cruz’s chances of being nominated over Donald J. Trump might be enhanced.
So, why speculate on McConnell’s anger level?
Cruz has called McConnell a “liar.” Moreover, he recently said he has no intention of taking back that bit of name-calling. He means what he says, Cruz said.
So, it now seems that McConnell is lining up behind his Senate colleague in his fight against Trump.
The Republican presidential primary fight is getting down to brass tacks. Trump and Cruz are running first and second in the fight for the GOP prize. Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is hanging on, hoping that polls that show him as the only GOP contender who can beat Hillary Clinton this fall somehow will persuade convention delegates to defect to his side.
But the Senate’s leading Republican is saying he is “increasingly optimistic” that the convention will turn into a donnybrook.
From where I sit, an expression of optimism means the individual making it wants something to happen.
I guess it can be no secret that McConnell would detest a Trump nomination this fall. It would doom the Republicans’ quest for the White House, not to mention greatly jeopardize the GOP’s control of the Senate.
If, however, the most plausible alternative is Ted Cruz, then that must mean McConnell is ready to forget that Cruz has insulted the majority leader’s character as a human being.
I guess the enemy of one’s enemy really is a friend.