Looks like Mitch McConnell has hit a bit of an electoral hurdle:

Sen. Mitch McConnell’s close backing of President Bush on immigration and the Iraq war is costing him support among Kentucky Republicans, and, according to some party members, hurting his chances for re-election next year.

He even could face a primary challenge from former Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Forgy, who contends that Mr. McConnell’s in-state problems are compounded by job losses to producers beyond America’s borders.

“The average Kentuckian feels we are giving away this country with both hands — jobs are going, essentially the primacy of the people who made this country great is going, and Mitch McConnell is lumped with the Washington types on this,” Mr. Forgy said.

“And the war in Iraq is less troublesome in Kentucky than in many other places, but it is not popular here, and Republican voters see Mitch’s views as too close to the president’s on the war,” said Mr. Forgy, a Lexington lawyer.

It’s a troublesome assessment for Mr. McConnell, who as minority leader has found himself having to defend unpopular Bush administration policies.

Let’s see if I’m reading this correctly: the Washington Times says that the GOP Senate leader’s electoral prospects are imperiled in Kentucky because he is defending the Republican President’s policies.  Because the Republican voters of Kentucky have soured enough on the Republican President and his war and immigration policies, among other issues, that they are contemplating running a primary against the Republican Senate Minority Leader. 

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. 

When you contemplate what this could mean for other Republican candidates, especially the ones in the Senate with ethical, corruption and other problems…the GOP is in deep doo doo, let’s just say that.  Suddenly, Rove’s attempts to cheat his way to political victory seem much more urgent, don’t they?  Take a peek at the Friday Senate line alone from Cillizza at the WaPo.   And then contemplate the fact that John Ensign is sucking even more than Liddy Dole did as chair of the NRSC — so badly that they are still in the financial hole from last year.  Ouch.  No wonder Joe Lieberman (I=Irrelevant) is so crabby lately.

Have you contacted your members of Congress, in both the House and Senate to tell them how you feel about Iraq?  Because some of the formerly deaf to constituents politicians may be all ears and ripe for the picking off.  Now is the time.   While you are at it, mention your support for SCHIP and how the GOP taking health care away from poor children who desperately need essential preventative care is reprehensible — and that you expect them to stand up for decency and vote with the kids who need this help.  And give them an earful about the FISA idiocy while you are at it.  Pick an issue and take a stand.

They think we aren’t paying attention?  Think again.

Make a call to their local offices and set up a meeting if possible.  Write a letter or a postcard, or send a FAX.  Find out where they are having a public meeting and show up for a chat.  Do something — and do it now.  It’s time to kick the You Work For Us Summer Tour up a notch.  Your country needs you.

To call toll free to the offices on the Hill, you can use these numbers that katymine found:

1 (800) 828 – 0498
1 (800) 459 – 1887
1 (800) 614 – 2803
1 (866) 340 – 9281
1 (866) 338 – 1015
1 (877) 851 – 6437

(Huge thank you to the folks at IraqCampaign.org for the above YouTube.)