McConnell campaign calls in FBI over secret recordings – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

McConnell campaign calls in FBI over secret recordings – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

The FBI has been asked to investigate how Mother Jones, a liberal magazine, obtained a recording of political aides meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell discussing opposition research on Ashley Judd, a source close the McConnell re-election campaign tells CNN. 

In the recordings, political operatives huddling at the senator's campaign headquarters in Kentucky, are heard discussing potentially attacking Judd's mental health if she had decided to make a bid against McConnell, who's running for a sixth term in office next year.

In a statement, McConnell campaign manager Jesse Benton said that "we've always said the Left will stop at nothing to attack Sen. McConnell, but Watergate-style tactics to bug campaign headquarters is above and beyond."

Note: There is no way the FBI is called in without McConnell huddling with Benton and other senior campaign staffers to consider the political ramifications of such a move. Benton and McConnell had to both give the thumbs upon the call to the FBI.