Marathon Pundit: The Hill: McConnell's stock surges

Patience and sticking to his beliefs have paid great dividends for Mitch McConnell. The Hill tells us that McConnell's stock is surging among his fellow Repubicans:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is walking with a spring in his step these days and even smiling a bit.

The Democrats no longer hold a filibuster-proof majority in the chamber and their sweeping healthcare overhaul, which seemed destined for President Barack Obama’s signature a few weeks ago, is now in dire straits.

McConnell's colleagues credit his leadership for keeping Republicans united against the plan and stalling it long enough to prevent final action ahead of the Massachusetts special election.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the GOP presidential candidate in 2008, is among those calling him the party leader. Conservative activist Grover Norquist say McConnell deserves to be named the party's Most Valuable Player.