on the fight that republicans promised conservative base for the last four months they would have this fight. mcconnell would get a cool reception. it's the first year in the last five years he hasn't been here. his office says of course part of the reason he's not going is because he has to be here on capitol hill dealing with this homeland security situation, which is absolutely true. there's some truth to that. it's notable, it's not just mcconnell. mcconnell is not there. house speaker john boehner is not there. none of the top party leadership from congressional republicans are there which suggests to you just how deep this rift is between the activists and their leaders now that leaders are in control on capitol hill. >> i want to read you something that was on red state's blog today. it calls mitch mcconnell squealing like a pig. that is an indication of the rift that exists. i want to talk about the