Senate GOP leader touts his conservatism at CPAC

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell is joining with conservative favorite Tom Coburn of Oklahoma at an annual conservative conference.

The Kentucky senator walked onstage at the Conservative Political Action Conference holding a rifle, which he presented to Coburn.

McConnell says President Barack Obama has treated the U.S. Constitution, quote, "worse than a place mat at Denny's." He says the rich have gotten richer and the poor have gotten poorer under Obama, and a Republican-controlled Senate would help restore economic prosperity.

McConnell is facing a primary challenge from a conservative tea party candidate, and Democrats view him as one of the most vulnerable GOP senators.

Republicans need to pick up six seats to win back Senate control.