'Ill-fated effort': McConnell was 'furious' at Rick Scott's 2022 leader bid, book says

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was privately infuriated astatine then-National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Rick Scott's last-minute leaderhip situation successful 2022, calling it an effort to displacement attraction from nan Florida Republican's "poor job" moving nan Senate GOP run arm, according to a forthcoming biography.

"McConnell was furious pinch Scott," wrote Michael Tackett, lawman Washington bureau main of nan Associated Press successful nan book "The Price of Power."

"He's angry astir it because since he's been leader he's ever had bid and power of nan speech during a midterm, and this changed that," erstwhile McConnell Chief of Staff Josh Holmes said successful nan biography.

The leader said astatine nan time, according to nan book, "I don't deliberation Rick makes a very bully victim." 

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McConnell was reportedly ‘furious’ erstwhile Scott challenged his re-election arsenic leader. (Reuters)

"I deliberation he did a mediocre occupation of moving nan [Senate campaign] committee. His scheme was utilized by nan Democrats against our candidates arsenic precocious arsenic nan past play [before nan election.] He promoted nan fabrication that we were successful nan mediate of a large expanse erstwhile location was nary tangible grounds of it," McConnell reportedly added. 

He referenced an 11-point schedule "to Rescue America" that Scott released while chairing nan NRSC, nan book said. The scheme was unveiled aft McConnell, nan longtime Republican leader, had dismissed efforts to put retired specified an schedule up of nan midterms, considering it to beryllium a mistake. 

According to nan biography, previewed by Fox News Digital, McConnell believed himself to person been correct astir this and thought Scott's scheme was "laughably bad." 

The leader specifically lamented parts of Scott's scheme stating that each Americans should salary immoderate grade of income tax, and "All national authorities sunsets successful 5 years. If a rule is worthy keeping, Congress tin walk it again." 

These were things McConnell expected Democrats to prehend on, particularly arsenic nan second could beryllium understood arsenic endangering Social Security and Medicare. 

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McConnell is nan longest-serving statement leader successful Senate history. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

According to nan forthcoming book, McConnell stated that Scott's "campaign against maine was immoderate benignant of ill-fated effort to move nan attraction distant from him and onto personification else" erstwhile Republicans did not return backmost nan Senate mostly successful nan midterms. 

At nan time, nan leader reportedly said, "We had a bully opportunity to talk nan differences, group had an opportunity to perceive to some candidates, and I’m beautiful proud of 37 to 10," successful reference to nan ballot totals successful nan concealed ballot. 

The Kentucky Republican reportedly wasn't offended by nan situation from Scott. In fact, he took awesome pleasance successful nan individual win, according to nan book. 

"McConnell relished nan triumph for illustration his puerility pummeling of Dicky McGrew," wrote Tackett. Tackett said that McGrew was a "friend and foe" of young McConnell, who picked connected him until his begetter demanded he face his bully. The now-Republican leader fist-fought McGrew arsenic a child, contempt nan second being bigger and stronger, nan book said.

His heavy backstage enjoyment of triumphing complete Scott's situation exemplified a "competitive fire" noted successful nan curriculum vitae that "could sometimes flare hotter erstwhile he was confronting Republicans who opposed him than erstwhile he was tangling pinch Democrats." 

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Scott sought to return complete arsenic leader successful 2022. (Alex Wong)

McConnell gave this greater credence successful caller remarks successful Kentucky during nan legislature recess. Explaining that "I'm still a accepted Republican: pro-trade, debased taxes, pro-business," he told nan Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, "there are immoderate connected my broadside now who don't sound that way."

"I'm going to beryllium arguing much pinch them astir apt than nan Democrats. Again, depending upon really nan predetermination comes out."

In a connection to Fox News Digital, Scott responded to McConnell's revealed comments astir himself, saying, "While Leader McConnell and I person basal disagreements, I americium shocked that he would onslaught a chap Republican legislator and nan Republican nominee for president conscionable 2 weeks retired from an election."

Scott was referring to McConnell's respective past candid criticisms of erstwhile President Donald Trump outlined successful nan book.

While Trump is competing for nan presidency against Vice President Kamala Harris, Scott is besides seeking re-election successful Florida.

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Senators John Cornyn, John Thune and Rick Scott are contenders successful nan title to win Mitch McConnell arsenic leader. (Getty Images)

"I judge we should beryllium talking astir solutions, he doesn’t," Scott continued. "I support Donald Trump and his activity to fundamentally alteration nan measurement Washington operates, he doesn’t. I judge we should support nan candidates Republican voters choose, he doesn’t."

"With almost $36 trillion successful debt, an unfastened confederate border, historical inflation, and a world connected fire, I cognize we request melodramatic change, and he doesn’t."

As for McConnell's remarks astir Trump elaborate successful nan book, he said successful a statement, "Whatever I whitethorn person said astir President Trump pales successful comparison to what JD Vance, Lindsey Graham, and others person said astir him, but we are each connected nan aforesaid squad now." 

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The leader, who is nan longest-serving statement caput successful Senate history, notably announced successful February that he would not beryllium seeking to lead nan GOP convention again, opening up nan opportunity for nan first clip successful years. 

Earlier this year, Scott launched different leader bid. In 2022, he received 10 votes connected nan concealed ballot aft announcing a run against McConnell astatine nan past minute. 

Both Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, person besides thrown their hats successful nan race.

Get nan latest updates from nan 2024 run trail, exclusive interviews and much astatine our Fox News Digital predetermination hub.