MAGA Plots a Senate Takeover

Playbook: “For months, Senate Republicans have operated on the assumption that McConnell’s successor would be one of the “three Johns” close with the current leader: Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), former Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) or Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-WY).”

“But Trump allies are itching for a dark-horse candidate to shake things up, quietly complaining that any of those three would lead to more of the same. Multiple GOP senators and aides tell Playbook that a group of about a dozen McConnell antagonists in the Senate might band together and use their numbers — along with public pressure — to install a leader more to their liking.”

Said one GOP ally of the rebels: “The idea that it’s just between the ‘Three Johns’ is an outdated narrative from a year ago. There will be somebody else — and possibly a scenario where none of the ‘Johns’ can get consensus, so it takes another candidate to step in.”