It’s time for Mitch McConnell to go

Many people consider Trump supporters fools, but they were savvy enough to understand that the president’s support for Strange was weak at best. When Trump showed up to campaign in Alabama for Strange, Moore supporters went to cheer on their president and boo McConnell. At separate rallies, Trump loyalists such as Bannon, Sarah Palin and Sebastian Gorka rallied the crowd to Moore against the establishment forces who obstruct Trump’s agenda. Completely cynical about American politics, Trump’s voters understood what was happening. The president is forced to work with McConnell and must play the game. But they believe in their hearts that Trump would much prefer a person such as Moore — someone who could be counted on to fight back against McConnell in the Senate.

So on Tuesday, Trump’s supporters likely delivered to the Senate a man Trump publicly opposed but that his voters believe he privately wants or, at least, needs. Their motivation had far more to do with ending McConnell’s tenure as Senate Republican leader than passing any specific piece of legislation. Now conservatives will go find more candidates whose campaign pitch is anti-McConnell, not pro-Trump. The primary challenges will continue, with new proof that they can succeed, until the base concludes McConnell has either become helpful or gotten out of the way. This is the beginning, not the end.