Embattled Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), who has effectively been pushed toward retirement, let loose on a conference call with reporters today, criticizing fellow Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader.

"Do you realize that under our dynamic leadership of our leader, we have gone from 55 and probably to 40 (Senate seats) in two election cycles, and if the tea leaves that I read are correct, we will wind up with about 36 after this election cycle," the Louisville Courier-Journal reports Bunning said. "So if leadership means anything, it means you don't lose ... approximately 19 seats in three election cycles with good leadership."

Bunning also confirmed that he encouraged Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R) to set up a Senate campaign exploratory committee, a move many saw as Bunning's first step toward retirement.

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