But the GOP and Haley Barbour's gang thought the Tea Party would take over that seat if Cochran retired. So to avoid a McDaniel win, they pushed him into running again. He will retire in a year or two and Gov. Phil Bryant will appoint an establishment pick to replace him -- someone like Greg Harper or Steven Palazzo. That way, they retain control of who is in that see.

I've heard several people talk about his frailty. It's sad that the GOP has come down to forcing tired old men to not retire just because they don't know how else to keep control of their party.

No matter what you think of his politics, Thad has brought home the pork for Mississippi. He ought to have a chance to retire instead of dropping dead on the campaign trail.

But, party before principle (or common decency, where Republicans are concerned) . . .

I ran into Harry Reid at a caucus. He may have been coming off a cold or something but man did he look frail and that was quite a few years ago now.

Thad is a different story. Chris McDaniel has been pushing for a debate. Now I understand why. Cochran doesn't even know where he is most of the time.