The end of Mitch McConnell, master strategist

How did this supposed legislative genius bungle the health-care bill so badly?

Sen. Mitch McConnell.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Image courtesy REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has a reputation in Washington as a strategic genius. So when he introduced the new version of the Republican health-care bill on Thursday, some political observers expected to be dazzled by whatever he drew up. Instead they witnessed a very familiar play.

Months ago, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was finally able to pass TrumpCare through Congress' lower chamber, after his first attempt failed, by inserting new provisions undercutting two key ObamaCare regulations. That brought conservative hardliners on board, while Ryan relied on raw tribal pressure to get the moderates in line.

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Jeff Spross

Jeff Spross was the economics and business correspondent at TheWeek.com. He was previously a reporter at ThinkProgress.