Republicans not hurt by White House slugfest: Senator

Battle Will Not Damage GOP

Republicans not hurt by White House slugfest: Senator
(AFP) – Jan 31, 2012
WASHINGTON — The top US Senate Republican on Tuesday played down fears that the war for the party’s presidential nomination will damage the candidate it puts up against President Barack Obama in November.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that the political slugfest resembled the battle between then-Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2008.

“It didn’t seem to have done them any harm in the general election. And I don’t think this contest is going to do us any harm either,” said McConnell, who is generally regarded as one of his party’s shrewdest strategists.

His comments came as Florida primary voters were expected to hand former Massachusetts governor and multi-millionaire investor Mitt Romney a decisive win over former House speaker Newt Gingrich after an angry war of words.

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