Mitch McConnell, Trent Lott, Elected Senate Republican Leaders, TEXT, PODCAST, VIDEO

Senator McConnell Elected Senate Republican Leader, from the Office of Senator Mitch McConnell, Wednesday, November 15, 2006

• Senator McConnell news conference call PODCAST Studio Quality 15:00 15 MB
• Senator McConnell comments on being elected Senate Republican Leader PODCAST Studio Quality 1:00 1 MB
• Senator McConnell comments on being elected Senate Republican Leader VIDEO Digital Quality 1:00 1 MB

*New Republican Leader says he’s ready for the job ahead*

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell was selected by his colleagues today to serve as Republican Leader for the 110th Congress. Senator McConnell will assume the post and lead the Senate Republicans

when the new Congress convenes in January of 2007. Following today’s leadership elections, Senator McConnell thanked his colleagues for their support and said he’s ready for the job ahead:

“I am honored and humbled that my colleagues elected me to serve as the Republican Leader in the 110th Congress. This is one of the greatest recognitions the Senate can bestow upon one of its own and I am thankful for the trust my friends have placed in me. And to my Democrat friends: Today we extend the hand of bipartisanship and will work with you to move America forward. We’ll be there to support you when we agree, and we’ll have a good, honest debate when we disagree.”

The last Senator from Kentucky to serve as his party’s leader was Alben Barkley. Senator Barkley (D-KY) served as majority leader for nearly 10 years, from 1937 to 1947, longer than anyone else before him. From 1947 to 1949 he served as minority leader, and in 1948 he was elected vice president to President Truman. -30-

Trent Lott Voted Senate Minority Leader

Monroe, Ga. 11/15/2006 7:06 PM GMT (FINDITT), In a 25-24 vote amongst Senate Republicans, Trent Lott was elected to the number two minority leadership position for the 110th Congress.

Lott’s narrow victory over Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander returns him to a leadership post for the first time since being ousted as majority leader four years ago.

The Republican from Mississippi was pressured to step away from his position after racially insensitive remarks drew the ire of both political parties as well as the American public.

Heading into the vote Lamar Alexander had thought he had lined up a majority of votes to assume the position of vote-counting GOP whip. Alexander began lining up support for his bid nearly a year ago but by the time voting took place Lott prevailed by a single vote.

The Republicans will be led in the Senate by Mitch McConnell from Kentucky. The new Minority Leader replaces Bill Frist from Tennessee. Frist is retiring after servings as Majority Leader for the Republicans.

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