Hello folks. These are obviously tough times for those of us who are Democrats but they are just as obviously ‘Happy Days Are Here Again’ times for Republicans. Did you see the big cheshire cat smile on Senator Mitch (Mr. Whack-A-Mole) McConnell’s face as he stood just behind and slightly to the left of President-elect Donald J. Trump? Well, I sure did. I can’t remember for sure but I think that I was watching MSNBC when I saw it. It was history-making, breath-taking and epic in one amazing snapshot of Mr. Whack-A-Mole at his best; it revealed the ‘appearing’ portion of his whack-a-mole method of operation (MO). He appeared because the Republicans won the election and he wants to be sure to ingratiate himself to President-elect Trump by paying him the proper homage.

I have mentioned in other articles that I posted to this site how Senator McConnell knows exactly when to disappear and remain as quite as a church mouse and exactly when to reappear and take all of the hard-fought and hard-won credit that his fellow senators more rightfully deserve. After all, they were the ones, right or wrong, on the frontlines and in the trenches taking all of the incoming fully loaded projectiles of criticism for supporting, or denigrating, President-elect Trump. But let’s give credit where credit is due, there fearless majority leader was tucked away in a bunker as near to the front lines as it is safe for a whack-a-mole leader to be while strongly leading from behind. Leading from behind; isn’t this something that he and the rest of the Republicans have regularly accused President Obama of doing?

Now, just because I said that Senator McConnell knows exactly when to reappear does not mean that he does not peek out of his hiding place from time-to-time prior to his reappearance to see what is going on. These sneak peaks are where the ‘disappearing’ and whack-a-mole portion of his MO come into play. If we talked about it from a football perspective he would be like those slot guys – Edelman, Amendola and Wes Welker. Or if we talked about it from a running back perspective, he would be like a Barry Sanders; because he can stop on a dime, all but miraculously move backwards as fast as he moves forward, change directions laterally so quickly and quickly start and move forward again that when you think that you have him corralled so reach out to grab him, you find that he is gone and you are left grasping at air. This man, Senator Mitch (Whack-A-Mole) McConnell, is amazing. Maybe that’s why it is so hard to get a drink with him; he is totally elusive, kind of like the invisible man. And you have to give him credit, the man is quick!

But I digress due to my awe of Edelman, Amendola, Wes Welker and the amazing Barry Sanders. Please indulge me though and allow me to further explain why I say that he is quick! Digression notwithstanding, I am almost as much in awe of the slot man/running back-like abilities that Senator McConnell has perfected and continues to possess in the world of politics; and at his age! Anyway, when Senator McConnell pops up out of one of his holes to see what is going on and the press spots him; before they can whack him and pull him out of his hole so that they can restrain him and ask him questions, he has ducked back into his hole and they are left whacking at air.

Then, because he did not procure all of the information that he needed when he popped up the first time, he pops up in a different place and the same thing happens all over again. He manages to successfully do this until he determines that it is safe for him to come out of his hiding place so that he can claim his prize. And when it is safe, he comes out and claims it. But this does not bother the rest of those elected officials in the Washington Republican Party pride because they know their place in the food chain and their pecking order in the pride so they patiently wait and then squabble over the remains.

As long as things are going well, Senator Mitch Whack-A-Mole McConnell will remain above ground and be available to the press. But as soon as things begin to go bad for Republicans, you will see him line up in the backfield or slot position, the count will be called – ready, s e t…, hut. Immediately the Republican offensive line will surge forward, as will the media’s defensive line and you will hear the grunts and groans from both the offensive and defensive linemen as they struggle to gain the advantage.

The supporting linebackers and other defensive backs will defend against the pass or run to the best of their ability. Whatever position that Senator Mitch Whack-A-Mole McConnell is playing, he will receive the ball. The defensive linemen, linebackers, and other defensive backs will think that they have him corralled; but when they reach out to grab him…poof, he will be gone. And they will be left grasping at air until the next time that he decides to appear. Like I said before, the man is quick!

By the way, did you see the expression on Senator Mitch McConnell’s face when a reporter asked him if he is comfortable having Steve Bannon as President-elect Donald Trump’s Chief Strategist? In the event that you did not, it looked like… Well, there is no picture – other than the original one captured, or any words that I can come up with that can properly convey that expression. But I can tell you what his response was; it was, “It’s nice seeing you guys.” Upon those words, the press personnel were chased (well, not literally…I hope) from the room. I wonder…were those code words for rescue me and get them the hell out of here? I wonder…

Eulus Dennis – author, Operation Rubik’s Cube and Living Between The Line