In the McConnell-Trump grudge match McConnell has the upper hand and is clearly winning. He has and uses power for the good of the Republican Party and America. Trump whines and pouts from the unelected sidelines. For McConnell: Trump? Never heard of him.

FNC: “He is repeatedly ridiculed and vilified by former President Trump, but as longtime GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell pushes for his party to regain the chamber’s majority in November’s midterm elections, he’s keeping his focus on President Biden rather than the former president.

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Democrats were already facing historical headwinds – the party that wins the White House traditionally suffers setbacks in the ensuing midterms – as they hope to retain their razor-thin majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. But they’re also grappling with an unfavorable political environment that’s vividly illustrated by Biden’s sinking poll numbers and the inability to date by the White House and congressional Democrats to pass key items in their agenda. With decades of experience on Capitol Hill, McConnell’s one of the most disciplined politicians in the nation’s capital, and he’s staying on message.

Asked recently by reporters to spell out the Senate Republicans’ agenda if they control the chamber starting in 2023, McConnell simply answered, ‘I’ll let you know when we take it back.’ ”

McConnell’s strategy was on display during a recent interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier. McConnell was asked if Trump would be an advantage or a hindrance to the Republicans in November, he answered, “I think the midterm election almost certainly is going to be a referendum on the party in power.” Excellent message discipline. Especially in contrast with a certain buffoon-like ex-president.

McConnell said that Democrats “are in charge of governing and these midterm elections are always a report on the performance of those who are in charge, those are who are governing.” Baier commented that “there were two questions about former President Trump. I noticed you didn’t talk about him.” McConnell remained inscrutable. Superb.

McConnell had previously said that the former president “bears moral responsibility” for the storming of the Capitol. Quite right. Trump then argued that “Mitch McConnell is a disaster. The Republicans have to get a new leader.” They continue to snipe at each other with one crucial difference: McConnell won his reelection race. Trump did not.

There are other differences. While Trump continues spew tired old news claims that the 2020 presidential election result was illegitimate, McConnell focuses on Republican strategy. The GOP “needs to be thinking about the future and not the past in this year’s elections,” he said.

Colin Reed, a veteran of multiple Senate campaigns, noted that if “you are looking at a sitting incumbent president with approval numbers both nationally and in key states sinking into the low 30s… it’s a no-brainer for McConnell and Republicans running this year to stay laser focused on Biden and congressional Democrats.”

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Asked about Trump’s criticisms of McConnell, another GOP strategist told press that “Democrats and the liberal media will do anything to change the subject from inflation, empty grocery shelves, and Biden’s inability to manage either, but you’ll never see McConnell take their bait.” And that’s why McConnell is the most effective Republican in the country and the leader of the GOP.