GOP senator threatens to sue his own party

GOP senator threatens to sue his own party
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 02/24/09 03:23 PM [ET]

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he would sue the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) if it recruited a primary challenger against him.

Bunning also took a swing at NRSC Chairman John Cornyn during a conference call with reporters, questioning the Texas senator’s honesty.

Bunning has been at odds with the Senate Republican campaign committee over its lack of support for his reelection.

Committee officials last week met with Kentucky Senate President David Williams, who is exploring a challenge to Bunning.

Bunning threatened to sue the committee if it supported Williams or any other challenger.

“I would have a suit against the NRSC if they did that,” he said, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

“Support of incumbents is the only reason for [the NRSC’s] existence,” Bunning added. “So if they recruited someone and supported them in a primary against me, I would be able to sue them because they’re not following their bylaws.”

Cornyn said Monday that the NRSC would support Bunning’s reelection bid, but that failed to appease the cantankerous Kentuckian.

“I don’t believe anything John Cornyn says. I’ve had miscommunications with John Cornyn from, I guess, the first week of this current session of the Senate,” Bunning stormed to the Courier-Journal. “He either doesn’t understand English or he doesn’t understand direct: ‘I’m going to run,’ which I said to him in the cloakroom of our chamber.”

Bunning declined to discuss his comments with The Hill.

Cornyn said the blowup was a misunderstanding.

“I think it’s a big misunderstanding — we’re supporting Sen. Bunning,” said Cornyn, who added that he did not think Bunning will sue his committee.