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Kentucky longest sitting senator visited Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce. (Photos by Benjamin S. Rossi / brossi@jessaminejournal.com / September 6, 2012) |
The fate and direction of the country may be in the hands of independent voters in the upcoming 2012 presidential election, according to U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
The longest sitting senator in Kentucky’s history paid a visit to community leaders, business owners and elected officials at the monthly Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday afternoon.
Despite being a private event, there were tables set for 150 people inside the hangar on the property of R.J. Corman Railroad Group off U.S. 27.
McConnell arrived a little before noon and had lunch provided by Zaxby’s while mingling with guests.
With a Republican majority in the crowd, McConnell encouraged the chamber to invite members of other parties as well but said he was going to speak on his party’s behalf.
McConnell began by talking about the upcoming presidential race.
“I haven’t been watching the Democratic National Convention speeches because I don’t need to; I already know what they’re all going to say,” McConnell said. “They’re going to say, ‘It’s not our fault,’ and we need to tell them we’ve given them four years; we’re not giving them another four.”
The minority leader said the Obama administration has demonized success and was biased against the private sector.
“America is a country of opportunity,” he said. “(And) I believe in American exceptionalism.”
McConnell went on to talk about other issues affecting the country and said that if “adjustments” aren’t made soon, the United States may be facing similar economical struggles to those of eastern European counties.
The adjustments McConnell was referring to are on entitlement programs and putting a year-long moratorium on the all the policies the Obama administration has put in place.
“I’ve said this before in the past — I truly believe this is the biggest election of my time,” he said. “(But)I’m convinced we haven’t lost our fighting spirit.”
After his speech, McConnell opened it up to the floor for questions and was asked if he thought presidential candidate Mitt Romney was going to defeat President Barack Obama in November.
“It’s going to be very close,” he said. “But (the Democrats) cannot run on their record.”
McConnell said the election is going to be determined by the “high number of Independents in about eight to 10 states,” the closest to Kentucky being Ohio.
