McConnell: ‘Laughable’ that Hillary is the candidate of change

It is “laughable” for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run as a “change” candidate in the 2016 presidential elections, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday.

“The notion that support for her would be a support for change is frankly laughable,” he told reporters. “She represents the views of this administration. She was a part of this administration.”

{mosads}Clinton announced on Sunday that she is running for president, and is considered a near-lock for the Democratic Party’s nomination.

McConnell said he expects the 2016 presidential election will come down to whether Americans are happy about the economy, as well as with foreign policy events.

The Kentucky Republican joked that if Americans are happy with “an average of about 2 percent growth rate … maybe Secretary Clinton will win.”

“The country — as is frequently the case after eight years of one administration — is ready to go in a different direction.”

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are all running or considering a potential presidential bid.

Asked if he would back one of the senators, McConnell said, “in regard to our nominees, we’ve got a great bunch.”

McConnell said last year he’d “almost certainly” endorse Paul if he ran for president. Paul launched his candidacy last week.