Sen. Chuck Grassley is not a happy camper, but it's a pickle of entirely his own making. Well, maybe not entirely, since it's his Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, who is the ringleader in the Supreme Court blockade they are currently undertaking. But Grassley is in charge of the Senate Judiciary Committee and could buck McConnell and have hearings on President Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland. That would be more pressure on McConnell to allow a confirmation vote. Instead of acting, however, he's back home in Iowa, whining about how tough his re-election campaign is going to be.
FORT DODGE, Ia. — Sen. Chuck Grassley told delegates at the 4th Congressional District convention Saturday that he’s facing a “severe” campaign for re-election.
Grassley, seeking his seventh term, said people may think he’s safe because of his past “slam dunk” wins. “This is not going to be such a race and so I’m calling on you, I’m asking you, I’m begging you, I’m imploring you — will you do all you can to help me win re-election?” […]
Grassley is known for never taking re-election for granted but he said this is not just his way of appearing humble. “You know, the situation’s a lot different now. When you’ve got the White House organizing a campaign against you … it’s still something that you’ve got to take into consideration.”
Of course, it's not just the White House beating up on Grassley for his obstinance. It's most of his homestate newspapers. His approval rating back home with his constituents has also taken a hit.
There's a way out of this, of course. Have the damned hearings. That would take the pressure off of him and stick it on McConnell, who seems not to be bothered by the fact that he is the most unpopular major politician in the country. Clearly, Grassley is going to do his damnedest to exploit the situation with the base and raise as much as he can with it, but at some point this particular rat might feel the need to abandon McConnell's floundering vessel.
Please donate $3 today to help Patty Judge keep the pressure on this guy.