longest tenured g.o.p. leader ever. >> he understands the senate better than anybody else here. >> former senator trent lot had the job for five years. >> i think it was the toughest we are shipped out, political job in the city. >> mcconnell says he plays the long game. failed to repeal obamacare. in 2010 he took it for outlining a different priority. >> our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny president obama a second term. >> six years later when outgoing president barack obama merrick garland to the court, he declined to consider him. >> the american people need to weigh in and decide who's going to make this decision. >> democrats criticized him for making this decision. >> we are setting a dangerous precedent. >> mcconnell later helped confirmed neil gorsuch. >> he is reasonably able to control his people. that in itself is something to be credited with.