Did Mitch McConnell not understand the election?

"McConnell tepid on ending 'earmarks'

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said that banning ..."earmarks"
...is more complicated than it appears but that he is willing to consider such a move.

McConnell said ending the common practice ...won't cut spending
but will only limit the discretion of where to spend the vast federal budget.

Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina
has said he wants to ban all lawmakers' requests for specific spending.

President Obama has backed that idea.

McConnell said Republicans are ready to cut federal spending
but banning earmarks is not a realistic way to do that."

The Associated Press