Mitch McConnell : Throughline Mitch McConnell has been described as "opaque," "drab," and even "dull." He is one of the least popular - and most polarizing - politicians in the country. So how did he win eight consecutive elections? And what does it tell us about how he operates? This week, we share an episode we loved from Embedded that traces McConnell's political history.

Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell

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Al Behrman/AP
Jefferson County Judge Mitch McConnell declares his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate during a press conference in Covington, Kentucky, Jan. 17, 1984.
Al Behrman/AP

Mitch McConnell has been described as "opaque," "drab," and even "dull." He is one of the least popular - and most polarizing - politicians in the country. So how did he win eight consecutive elections? And what does it tell us about how he operates? This week, we share an episode we loved from Embedded that traces McConnell's political history.


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