Mitch McConnell’s Olive Branch for Obama
EmailABC News’ Jonathan Karl Reports: Sen. Mitch McConnell discussed the prospects of bipartisanship at the National Press Club on Jan. 23, 2009.
Ferdous Al-Faruque/ ABC News "Most people don’t exactly view me as the Mr. Rogers of the Senate, but …" — Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Mitch McConnell — now the top Republican in the land — has prepared a very interesting speech, which he will deliver shortly at the National Press Club. McConnell uses the speech to praise Obama and to push back on conservatives who complain the Republican leadership is not taking on Obama more aggressively. “As Republicans look for common ground ," McConnell says. "Some will no doubt accuse us of compromise. But those who do so will be confusing compromise with cooperation. And anyone who belittles cooperation resigns him or herself to a state of permanent legislative gridlock. And that is simply no longer acceptable to the American people." More McConnell: “Make no mistake: Some of our new president’s proposals will be met with strong, principled resistance from me and from others. But many of his ambitions show real potential for bipartisan cooperation. And if we see sensible, bipartisan proposals, Republicans will choose bipartisan solutions over partisan failures every time." Click here to read the speech he prepared to give at 1pm at the press club today.
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It’s about time!
Posted by: Dee | January 23, 2009, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
It looks like Obama has established a lot of capital for his administration very early. Though I didn’t agree with a number of McConnell’s points, one being social security. It’s highly doubtful that Reagan’s tax cuts from decades ago “saved” the social security system from becoming insolvent. Sounds like revisionism to me, like his other point of the more recent attempt by Bush to save social security. A number of economists disputed Bush’s claim that it would have to be drastically saved, especially through privatization on the stock market. The privatization was a point McConell conveniently left out as he chided the Democrats for not being bipartisan. I found the evocation of Code Pink and over caffeinated activists funny– but who knows? It may be an effective scare tactic to bring on the good old boys to the bipartisan bandwagon.
Posted by: kathy | January 23, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
He talks a good game, but one good speech does not paper over 12 years of partisan gridlock. If McConnell’s serious about cooperation, his actions will have to speak louder than his words.
Posted by: Bob | January 23, 2009, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
“As others have noted, the President does not govern alone. He can’t sign a bill Congress hasn’t already passed. He can’t spend money Congress hasn’t appropriated. If President Obama’s promise of post-partisanship is to be realized, he’ll first need some cooperation from Congress. ”
Hmmm, if you listen to any Liberal, BUSH did it ALL on HIS OWN.
Now, that Obama is in office that quote will be correct?
Posted by: ajax | January 23, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
Good for you, Senator McConnell, and THANK YOU!
The more John and Jane Q Public know about the bills Congress is discussing and debating, and about the real true impact of the legislation, the more likely it is we will recognize whether a vote one way or the other is for a valid reason or merely a political one. The public is paying attention to politics in a way that it is hasn’t in a long time.
If the politicans are honest and try to do what they believe is truly best for the country, we’ll know and understand and support their actions.
I sure hope they can work together and do whatever the heck it is that needs to be done!
Posted by: Marilyn | January 23, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
It would certainly be a “Welcomed Change.” ‘Patronizing Partisanship’ has been the best description of GOP Congressional tact, for such a long time now.
Posted by: bobj72 | January 23, 2009, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
I just love that word bipartisan. What it means is that Congress does the Democrat’s way or else. Have anyone ever accused Reid and Pelosi of acting in nothing but a bipartisan way? Never. These two are the most partisan clowns in the whole congressional circus. Their whole purpose in life is to stick it to the Republicans so that they can stay in office and enrich their friends. They are OWNED by Moveon and other extreme left wing groups and act only after consulting with them while the Republicans are ignored and marginalized. Then they play like they are being bipartisan and the media and ignorant public lap it up. What a joke.
Posted by: MadJayhawk | January 23, 2009, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
I was at the NPC with Code Pink, sitting with John Hughes (from Bloomberg, head of the speaker’s committee). We were ejected in a great example of “prior restraint” because of who we were, despite not being dressed in pink, having paid tickets, and planning only to applaud when McConnell mentioned us. Good to know just how powerful we are!
Posted by: N. Todd Pritsky | January 24, 2009, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
republicans have been voted out of the House, the Senate and the Presidency, all by signifigant margins. if things go poorly they will be held accountable. but going the way of a handful of partisan republicans promoting their own old, stagnant, ineffective policies does not help the republican party. the people asked for change and want it. we didn’t ask for McConnell’s “do what we did when Reagan was president” foolishness. lack of oversight got us in this business in the first place.
Posted by: Paul Wall | January 24, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Posted by: MadJayhawk | Jan 23, 2009 10:42:35 PM;
You said about bi-partisanship; “What it means is that Congress does the Democrat’s way or else.”
I say; “You were either in a coma from 2000 to 2006, or you’re les than three (3) years old!”
Posted by: bobj72 | January 24, 2009, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm