The Kentucky Republican's two attempts to craft replacement legislation that would attract needed GOP votes have collapsed. Republican opposition seems likely to doom a vote next week on his Plan C, a bill simply repealing much of Obama's statute.
Along the way, conservative Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson accused McConnell of a "serious breach of trust" by telling moderates that proposed Medicaid cuts would not occur. He's had surprises from other GOP senators, too.
McConnell concedes the health care setback has been "a very, very challenging experience for all of us."