When you first hear his pitch, it defies logic: Mitch McConnell, a 30-year veteran of the Senate, campaigning for re-election as an agent of change. "If you want change, if you're unhappy with the direction of this country, the candidate of change is the guy you're looking at," McConnell told an audience at a Chamber of Commerce lunch here. 72-year-old McConnell -- the top Senate Republican -- is running against a 35-year-old Democrat who has never had an elected job in D.C. But he's the change candidate? Well, if you're a voter with an unfavorable view of President Barack Obama -- and according to a new CNN/Opinion Research International Poll, that's about two-thirds of Kentucky voters -- McConnell's argument has appeal once he explains it. He says the only real option for altering the balance of power in Washington is a GOP Senate takeover on Election Day -- and putting him in charge.
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McConnell could become majority leader if he wins his Senate election
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Opponent Grimes has a well-financed campaign aided by Democratic stars
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The candidates are a study in different styles
Democrat
In many ways she is running a textbook campaign for a challenger trying to unseat an entrenched incumbent, especially a @placeholder versus Republican.
Grimes
@placeholder' biggest challenge is unshackling herself from  Obama, who won only four of Kentucky's 120 counties in 2012.
Barack Obama
Grimes' biggest challenge is unshackling herself from  @placeholder, who won only four of Kentucky's 120 counties in 2012.
Grimes
The trouble for @placeholder is that as she becomes better known, and put through the grind of this intense campaign, her favorable ratings are dipping, too.
Republican
GOP
He never would have spoken about it during his @placeholder primary fight, but it is front and center in the general election campaign against a Democrat.
Democrat
He never would have spoken about it during his GOP primary fight, but it is front and center in the general election campaign against a @placeholder.
Grimes
@placeholder, on the other hand, appears energized by pressing the flesh with voters.