Mitch McConnell isn't even pretending to have principles when it comes to 2022

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has never been accused of idealism in his political career. But with his party engulfed in civil war, he has officially dropped any pretense of caring about anything other than regaining power in the next election cycle.

In a Wall Street Journal interview, McConnell made clear that his only priority was winning back control of the Senate for the Republican Party -- and by extension for himself -- and that the end would justify the means.

The Journal quoted McConnell as saying the key to GOP chances of retaking the Senate is "getting candidates who can actually win in November. That may or may not involve trying to affect the outcome of the primaries."

Saying the Republicans had suffered from fielding candidates who won primaries but not general elections, McConnell isn't about to be burdened by concerns of quality control:

"I personally don't care what kind of Republican they are, what kind of lane they consider themselves in," Mr. McConnell said. "What I care about is electability."

McConnell is, of course, embroiled in an ugly public feud with Donald Trump after four years of enabling him, but the Journal interview showed he would continue to follow the path of least political resistance.

"Mr. McConnell, while voting to acquit Mr. Trump during the impeachment hearing in the Senate, also gave a floor speech excoriating the former president for his role in encouraging rioters violent breach of the capital. But, in the interview, he was careful not to say any candidate with Mr. Trump's support would somehow be disqualified.

"Mr. McConnell declined to comment on individual candidates. But asked what role he saw for Mr. Trump in the party going forward, if any, Mr. McConnell paused before answering.

"'I don't rule out the prospect that he may well be supporting good candidates," Mr. McConnell said. "I'm not assuming that, to the extent the former president wants to continue to be involved, he won't be a constructive part of the process."

This, of course, was before Trump's most recent broadside attack. But as McConnell demonstrated in the interview, his worldview isn't shaped by what the Republicans are offering as much as what they're against.

"Mr. McConnell is hoping for an assist from a Biden administration that many in the Republican Party see as pushing further and further to the left, including a $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill that the minority leader sees as far bigger than necessary.

"That will help unify our party," Mr. McConnell said. "I don't think many Republicans are going to be for very many of the things that are coming out of this administration."

You can read the entire Journal interview here.