Politico: Blankenship's 'Sour Grapes' a Threat to GOP

Failed West Virginia GOP primary candidate Don Blankenship is scorching the earth, Politico reports, a potential concern for a Republican party clinging to control of Congress and hoping to unseat Sen. Joe Manchin, R-W.Va., in this November's midterm election.

"Obviously I'm worried, but I think it will be seen as just sour grapes," Republican president of the West Virginia state Senate Mitch Carmichael told Politico.

Blankenship, who finished third to GOP Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia's attorney general, has vowed to work against his Republican counterpart's hopes to unseat Manchin.

"Patrick Morrisey will likely lose the general election," Blankenship wrote in an open letter to President Donald Trump, per the report.

Blankenship and his staff have waged attacks on their own Republican party, with Blankenship calling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., "cocaine Mitch" and his campaign manager, Greg Thomas, calling Morrisey a "corrupt carpetbagger."

The problem there is Thomas also serves as executive director of the state Senate caucus – a caucus that otherwise supports Morrisey.

"It was very disappointing he took that approach," Carmichael told Politico of Thomas. "You can represent your client, but you can't also represent the state Senate candidates who are united behind Patrick Morrisey."

• Pollster: Trump's Anti-Blankenship Campaign Might Backfire
• Florida GOP Strategist: 'This Is the Year' for Florida Dems