BOMBSHELL: McConnell Campaign Manager “Holding His Nose” in Supporting Mitch

From Think Progress:

EconomicPolicyJournal.com released a recording of McConnell campaign manager Jesse Benton talking about his current job with Dennis Fusaro of Reformed Theological Seminary. Benton, who used to work for Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), suggests he is only working on McConnell’s campaign to prepare for Rand Paul’s re-election campaign in 2016.

“Between you and me, I’m sorta holdin’ my nose for two years, cause what we’re doin’ here is gonna be a big benefit to Rand in 2016, so that’s the long vision,” he said.

UPDATED: 2:00 PM

From The Weekly Standard:

McConnell campaign aide Allison Moore emails a statement from Benton:

“It is truly sick that someone would record a private phone conversation I had out of kindness and use it to try to hurt me. I believe in Senator McConnell and am 100 percent committed to his re-election. Being selected to lead his campaign is one of the great honors of my life and I look forward to victory in November of 2014.”

From GOP primary challenger Matt Bevin:

Even Mitch McConnell’s campaign manager thinks Sen. McConnell isn’t conservative and is holding his nose for 2 years #kysen…

— Matt Bevin (@MattBevin) August 8, 2013

From WFPL’s Phillip Bailey

I asked @JesseRBenton if he's staying with @Team_Mitch amidst #NoseGate: "Yes, sir!" #KYSen

— Phillip M. Bailey (@phillipmbailey) August 8, 2013

"Jesse is very much the manager of the campaign," says a @Team_Mitch source who is close to the senator. #KYSen

— Phillip M. Bailey (@phillipmbailey) August 8, 2013

From Justin Barasky, Press Secretary for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee:

Unlike Mitch McConnell's campaign manager, polls show the rest of Kentucky isn't going to hold their nose in 2014 #KYsen

— Justin Barasky (@JustinBarasky) August 8, 2013

UPDATE #2 7:00 PM

And now the McConnell campaign’s official response:

BREAKING! @Team_Mitch responds to campaign mgr's private phone conversation #KYsen #nosegate http://t.co/7i8voMeewa

— Team Mitch (@Team_Mitch) August 8, 2013