McConnell scoffs at Dem label

[babylonsister]

McConnell scoffs at Dem label
By Manu Raju
December 13, 2007


Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says that Democratic hopes of tagging him with an “obstructionist” label will be fruitless, predicting that his party would be unscathed from the legislative deadlock on Capitol Hill.

In an interview with The Hill on Wednesday, the Kentucky Republican said that Democrats’ increasingly determined tactics to pin the blame on him and the GOP caucus for blocking change on issues ranging from spending, tax policy, healthcare, energy and the Iraq war would matter little in the outcome of the 2008 elections.

“The public isn’t going to pay attention that much to all this finger-pointing,” McConnell said. “The way to get things done in the Senate is across the aisle.”

Instead, McConnell and his allies are banking that the fallout of historically low public approval ratings for Congress will fall squarely on the shoulders of a new Democratic majority falling short of its campaign promises.

“At the end of the day, the voters know who the majority is,” McConnell said. “And at the end of the day, they will hold the majority responsible.”

While McConnell appears on solid ground to win in 2008, Democrats are trying to capitalize on the senator’s sliding approval ratings in Kentucky. By bringing down a prominent party leader, similar to the way Republicans ousted former Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.)

in 2004, they hope to send a message that the GOP will continually face minority status if it stalls the Democratic agenda.

“Every time they stop the wheels of progress … they are also making it a lot easier for us to gain more seats, which we need in the Senate,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “I think when Republicans obstruct, it’s going to hurt them from the minority leader on down to the freshmen.”

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mcconnell-scoffs-at-dem-label-2007-12-13.html

[Happyhippychick]

1. I can't wait until this one is dragged out of a men's room in handcuffs.

Where is Larry Flynt when we need hinm?

[babylonsister]

3. That would make my year! And welcome to DU, Happyhippychick!

:hi:

[Happyhippychick]

5. Thanks. A very welcoming group I must say!

[Botany]

2. Sen. Mitch McChinless' job is to be an obstructionist

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/washington/12cong.htm...

WASHINGTON —Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, operates with near-robotic efficiency when it comes to negotiating budget figures in public, consistently refusing to answer questions that would ever commit him to a specific number at the bargaining table.

So it was more than a little telling when Mr. McConnell laid down his mark in the current budget fight on Tuesday, informing the Capitol Hill press corps that he was ready to offer Democrats a deal, $70 billion in war financing with no strings attached and a total budget identical to President Bush’s proposal.

In other words, the Republicans should get virtually everything they want. And he was not kidding.

[0007]

4. .......and Kentucky scoffs at you, you sorry piece of shit

[JohnnyLib2]

6. LOL! and a hearty second from central KY.

:yourock: