Mitch McConnell Senate Election Victory Speech Transcript 2020

Mitch McConnell: (00:10) Well, a lot comes to mind on a night like tonight, but first and foremost is gratitude, grateful to live in a democratic republic where the people choose our representatives, grateful to be citizens of the greatest nation in history. And Kentucky, I'm humbled and grateful that you've rehired me to keep fighting for your families and serving our commonwealth for the next six years. Mitch McConnell: (00:43) The great Kentuckian and my hero, Henry Clay, once said, "The greatest of all human powers is competition." The competition of ideas is crucial in a free society. My opponent ran a spirited race who stood up for her views and won a lot of votes. I applaud her willingness to step forward. Mitch McConnell: (01:06) I want to thank the team that worked so hard to connect with Kentuckians and to make our case, especially Josh Holmes, my indispensable advisor on all things political. [inaudible 00:01:24] six years ago into running this campaign and Terry Carmack has been with me since 1984 as being my advanced man, mostly meant answering the question, "Mitch who?" So most of all, I need to thank my best friend and partner. Elaine is an incredible person in every respect. She's stunningly accomplished as a leader and a public servant. A walking manifestation of the American dream. She's a blessing that I do not deserve, but for which I'm thankful every single day. Mitch McConnell: (02:02) The people of Kentucky had a clear choice, and they send a clear message. Tonight, Kentuckians said that challenging times need proven leadership and our nation will need [inaudible 00:02:19] to defeat this virus and regain our footing. The working families and Paducah, the miners in Eastern Kentucky and the farmers across our state, the health care workers in Northern Kentucky, and the teachers in Louisville, the law enforcement officers in Bowling Green and the service members stationed across the commonwealth are all going to continue to have a voice in every important national decision. Mitch McConnell: (02:49) I'm the only one of the four congressional leaders not from New York or California. I look out for middle America. And I've been sent back to Washington so the working people in this country who make things and grow things and mine things and raise families in our smaller cities and towns. Our values are going to keep their voice, keep their influence and help our nation come back even stronger. Mitch McConnell: (03:19) The trust of the people of Kentucky has literally changed our life. When I witnessed Dr. Martin Luther King's March on Washington Speech as an intern back in 1963, I dreamed about doing big things to help my state and our country. I never imagined Kentuckians would make me the longest serving Senator in our state's history or that my fellow Senate Republican would make me the longest serving Republican leader in US Senate history. Together, we've used Kentucky's front row seat for the good of our state and of our nation. We've made historic progress in rebuilding a federal judiciary that respects separation of powers. We've confirmed brilliant and qualified men and women who revere our constitution. We've delivered historical [inaudible 00:04:13] and major legislative victories for Kentucky and for all 50 States. We've rebuilt our national defense and [inaudible 00:04:22]. In turbulent times, we have accomplished all this while protecting the Senate's own rules and core traditions. The Senate kept the heat of intense partisanship from damaging our institution forever. The framers firewall held the line. Mitch McConnell: (04:41) So tonight, Kentuckians said, "We're not finished yet." Kentucky wants more of the policies that built the best economy in modern history, not socialism that would stifle prosperity and hurt workers. We want to continue rebuilding our military and leading around the world, not to cut bad deals or just hope adversaries will ignore us. We want to keep treating China like the threat it is, not where America slides in to second class. We're going to [inaudible 00:05:19] vulnerable lives are disposable. Mitch McConnell: (05:24) Tonight, Kentucky said, "We're keeping our front row seat in the Senate." We don't yet know which presidential candidate will begin a new term in January. We don't know which party will control the Senate, but some things are certain already. We know grave challenges will remain before us, challenges that could not care less about our political polarization. We know our next president will need to unite the country even as we all continue to bring different ideas and commitments to the table. But we also know beyond any shadow of a doubt that our nation, our people can do this. For 231 years, Americans have dominated one challenge after another. We have everything we need to defeat this terrible virus and come back stronger. We have the most resilient institutions, the most blessed land and the greatest people in the history of the world. This is no time to attack our constitution like some outdated relic. These are the times it was made of. This is no time to tear down statues of our founders and heroes. [inaudible 00:06:40] (silence) all that we have inherited and pass it on even stronger. Mitch McConnell: (07:00) When I was a child, our nation was battling a different virus, polio. It was hurting thousands and thousands of families every year. As a very young child, that fight became my own. While my father was off fighting World War II in Europe, I was fighting a different battle. Thank God I had a guardian angel. Her name was Jean, and she also happened to be my mother. My mom found our way to Warm Springs in Georgia. We trekked to the facility over and over more than a hundred miles round trip. My mother took the doctor's advice as gospel [inaudible 00:07:46] a toddler, just wanted to run around of course. She guided me through exercises I apparently totally hated. And she did it all while [inaudible 00:08:00] letters from my dad from overseas. It was only because of her determination that my first vivid memory by her side in a small store on our way out of Warm Springs for the last time buying my first real [inaudible 00:08:19]. Mitch McConnell: (08:20) About 10 years later, American Ingenuity had found the vaccine and American Free Enterprise was scaling it up. We beat polio here and we have almost defeated it worldwide. To my fellow Americans, our country is going to get back on our feet. Our nation has real challenges and real adversaries, but our fellow citizens are not our enemies. There's no challenge that we cannot overcome together. My fellow Kentuckians, you've given me the honor a lifetime. I'll always be grateful. I will never let you down. May God bless Kentucky and the United States of America.