In a candid moment, Sen. McConnell (R-KY) told reporters that Obamacare was all that he wanted to discuss at a press conference, WFPL reports.

Said McConnell: “I’m probably not going to be answering questions about anything else, but I’m happy to respond to questions about Obamacare. As some of you have complained from time to time that I don’t do a stake out after every event and I’m not going to do a stake out after every event because as you can imagine I prefer the news of that day to be what I’d like for it to be rather than what you all may be interested in pursuing.”

Wonk Wire: Can Obamacare survive more bad news?

USA Today:
“Top campaign aides to Virginia Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe and his GOP
opponent, Ken Cuccinelli, agreed Wednesday on two things about the
just-concluded bitter campaign: that the federal government shutdown was
a critical factor in Cuccinelli’s defeat, and that political
fact-checking has become so prevalent it is in danger of become
irrelevant.”

Mitt Romney tells the Boston Globe that the Republican presidential nominating process should reward states that hold primaries rather than caucuses.

Said Romney: “I’m concerned that there’s an effort on the part of some to move toward caucuses or conventions to select nominees, and I think that’s a mistake. I think we should reward those states that award delegates to the convention based upon primaries. Primaries are the place where you see whose message is connecting with the largest number of people.”

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) told the Des Moines Register he “is focused on the job at hand, but is clearly leaving a door open for a White House run — at the top of the ticket this time.”

Said Ryan: “I’ve decided I will consider this later. Once I’m through with this term, then I’m going to give a hard look at it.”

“I’m a Scott Brown Republican. I always have been.”

— Former Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), quoted by Radio Iowa, promoting his vision for the Republican party on a trip to Iowa.

A new Public Policy Polling survey in Maine finds Mike Michaud (D) leading Paul LePage (R) in the race for governor, 38% to 36%, with Eliot Cutler (I) at 15%.

In a two-way race, Michaud leads LePage 53% to 39%.

Eleanor Clift: “If it takes an imagined presidential run to generate interest in her signature issue of banking reform, freshman Senator Elizabeth Warren won’t be issuing any Shermanesque statements.”

“Thinking of her as a possible presidential contender boosts media coverage and helps her cause, and so she will smile and play along if it can advance what she cares about, which is holding accountable the banks that are even bigger today than they were when the crisis hit in 2008.”

Rep. Phill Gingrey (R-GA) released a new ad saying he would repeal Obamacare in his first term as a U.S. Senator or not run again.

Said Gingrey: “I’ll help repeal Obamacare in my first term or go home because you deserve a senator who gets the job done or gets out of the way. Repeal or go home, that’s my pledge to you.”

[Read more…]

“That’s because it’s been extreme. So it’s hard for some people not to comment on it.”

— Sarah Palin, in an interview on CNN, on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s (R) appearance.