McConnell promises to work with Obama, congressional Democrats

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McConnell promises to work with Obama, congressional Democrats

By Halimah Abdullah | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — As his party struggles to regain its footing after devastating election losses, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged Friday that the Republican Party will rally and work in a bipartisan manner with Democrats and President Barack Obama's administration.

"If someone told you Mitch McConnell was down at the National Press Club hoping for the spirit of bipartisanship, they'd tell you that's like an insurance agent hoping for an earthquake," the Kentucky Republican told a gathering of journalists at the National Press Club.

His address was the first major policy speech by a Republican leader since Obama took office and McConnell's first appearance at the Press Club since 1997, when he staked out his position opposing campaign-finance restructuring. Though Democrats took the White House and expanded their congressional majorities in the November elections, they fell short of the 60 votes needed in the Senate to overcome filibusters.

As the most powerful Republican in Washington, McConnell, along with his Republican colleagues, will continue to play a pivotal role in influencing the legislative plans of the Obama administration and the Democratic-led Congress. McConnell vowed to leverage this power with the new administration but to temper his actions with an eye toward bipartisan cooperation.

"For the first time in a while, America has a president who isn't viewed by most people as an overly polarizing figure," McConnell said. "Americans are intrigued by President Obama's promise of post-partisanship.

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