For McConnell's No. 2, no plans to hit Bluegrass State campaign trail

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) might be in a dogfight to retain his seat on Nov. 4, but don't expect McConnell's No. 2 in the United State Senate to appear with him at any campaign events between now and then.

Aides to McConnell, the Republican minority leader, and U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), who serves as minority whip, say that Kyl has no plans to campaign with the Kentucky Republican, who is trying to fight off a stronger-than-expected challenge from Democratic businessman Bruce Lunsford.

A Kyl aide said Friday that the Arizona Senator had spoken personally with McConnell in the last few weeks to offer his assistance on the campaign trail but had been turned down, with McConnell volunteering that no such help was needed, and that Kyl's time was better spent working on behalf of his fellow Grand Canyon State Senator, John McCain, in the closing weeks of the campaign season.

Justin Brasell, a McConnell spokesman, said the campaign did not have plans for Kyl or any other members of the Republican caucus to hit the trail for McConnell. "We're a big boy, we can help ourselves," said Brasell.

McConnell has used his seniority in the Senate to help leverage an enormous campaign bank account. Over the course of the cycle, he has raised nearly $18 million, and heading into the final month of the campaign he had nearly $6 million cash on hand.

But McConnell, once seen as the clear frontrunner, is facing tightening polls in a toxic atmosphere for Republicans. A Research 2000 poll out this week showed McConnell holding a slim lead within the margin of error.

While Kyl will not be appearing with McConnell, aides to the Arizona Republican say he has been helpful to the campaign. In October 2007, Kyl held a fundraiser that netted nearly $107,000 for McConnell's coffers. Kyl has also given $10,000 in PAC funds to McConnell's campaign.

The Kyl aide also said the two have "spoken very frequently, very regularly" about the re-election effort. Should McConnell fall short in his bid for a fifth term, it would result in a dramatic shift within the Senate GOP caucus that Capitol Hill observers believe would send Kyl into the minority leader's seat.

However, a Kyl aide dismissed any suggestion that the Arizona Senator had considered such a scenario and said he fully expected McConnell to win. While Kyl has largely focused his efforts on McCain this cycle, he will also be in New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona next week to stump on behalf of congressional candidates.