"McConnell had a good teacher in Harry Reid" - this is the conclusion of commenter.  However, I encourage him to read a book entitled Issues in American Politics: Polarized Politics in the Age of Obama, published in 2013, edited by Professor John Dumbrell.  I encouraged the commenter to read pgs. 109-110. All Mitch McConnell had to do was to look back at two previous Senate Republican leaders - Trent Lott, Bill Frist.  Threats made by Frist against Arlen Specter.  Mitch McConnell was concerned about Joe Biden's closeness to "seven senators".  McConnell threatened each of them.  If Grassley did not maintain his obedience he would lose his seniority and membership on the Judiciary Committee.  Olympia Snowe was threatened with loss of seniority on the Commerce Committee.  And, there are other examples.