Stepping down from Republican Senate leadership in November, Senator Mitch McConnell turned back the clock in more ways than one Tuesday afternoon — sharing his wit and wisdom with a select few at the Calloway/Murray Economic Development Council Luncheon in Murray’s SpringHill Suites.
Former General and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said of comedy: “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.”
And, so, McConnell channeled some self-deprecation.
From there, however, the country’s longest-ever Senate leader unrolled his thoughts on the world as it stands today — and America’s role in it — not only by referencing World War II and Eisenhower, but 1980’s Republican President Ronald Reagan.
Prior to the divide of Axis and Allies, McConnell noted that America and its citizens were “frozen in isolationism” — following up the Roaring ’20s with the Great Depression.
Looking to assist the British in 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Senate passed The Lend-Lease Act — which McConnell added wasn’t popular.
Eisenhower then defeated Taft for the nomination in 1952, which McConnell said brought more credibility to the United States being involved more globally.
Tying this back to modern day, McConnell said America’s involvement with Ukraine was warranted — and for a number of reasons.
First, he assured more than half of the money being spent in Europe is staying on American soil — rebuilding the industrial complex in 38 different states, including Kentucky, for the challenges ahead with China, Russia, Iran and general terrorism.
Reagan, McConnell said, had it right: “Peace through strength.”
Second, he urged that increasing the defense budget now saves lives tomorrow.
McConnell voiced his displeasure with this term of presidency over a myriad of concerns, including lower defense spending, the removal of troops from Afghanistan, a chaotic mess at the Mexican border and rising inflation — which was caused when the Senate flooded more than $2.9 trillion to communities post COVID-19.
Over his final two years in office, no matter who the president is, he said his priorities will be Kentucky, national defense and foreign policy — particularly as a major pillar of NATO.
FULL SPEECH:
