Sources in Trumpworld who spent their careers attacking McConnell as a weak and corrupt totem of the “establishment” are now praising him for ramming through Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation without flinching.

• “A straight-up gangster,” said one source who had previously dedicated a significant amount of time to trying to destroy McConnell.

The source — like many others in Trumpworld — appropriated a (debunked) campaign insult (“Cocaine Mitch”) as a mark of newfound respect.

Here's what Majority Leader McConnell—who will continue to be  Majority Leader in the Senate next year—said just now:

12.21.18

Senate Proceeds with Funding, Border Security Legislation

‘[T]he Senate has voted to proceed to the legislation before us in order to preserve maximum flexibility for productive conversations to continue between the White House and our Democratic colleagues. I hope Senate Democrats will work with the White House on an agreement that can pass both houses of Congress and receive the president’s signature. So colleagues, when an agreement is reached, it will receive a vote here on the Senate floor.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need to secure our border and fund the government:

“My colleagues, here’s where we are. It’s now clear that Republicans have enough votes to proceed to the pending legislation on government funding, disaster relief, and border security. Within the Republican conference, there is strong support for the president’s reasonable request for more resources to tackle the urgent situation on our southern border.

“Republicans support the House-passed bill which includes additional border security funding. However, we are also eager to complete the remaining appropriations bills which the Senate has already passed. Since any eventual solution will require 60 votes here in the Senate, it’s been clear that from the beginning that two things are necessary: The support from enough Senate Democrats to pass the proposal at 60, and a presidential signature.

“As a result, the Senate has voted to proceed to the legislation before us in order to preserve maximum flexibility for productive conversations to continue between the White House and our Democratic colleagues. I hope Senate Democrats will work with the White House on an agreement that can pass both houses of Congress and receive the president’s signature. So colleagues, when an agreement is reached, it will receive a vote here on the Senate floor.”