Sen. Mitch McConnell Has Some Explaining to Do

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell of Ky., delivers his remarks at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

/ AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

In his post-election Heritage Foundation speech, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "I re-extend an offer that's been on the table for two years to cooperate on shared goals -- because ultimately this isn't about an election; it's about doing what's best for our country."

Prior to the Nov. 2 election, McConnell told the National Journal's Major Garrett, "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

At the same time he said he would be willing to compromise on important issues "if President Obama does a Clintonian backflip," referring to how the former president responded after a tough mid-term election in 1994.

President Obama took a swipe to McConnell's remarks regarding the 2012 election.

"The Republican leader of the Senate said that his main goal over the next two years -- his number one priority -- is to beat me in the next election," Mr. Obama said. "I mean, keep in mind he didn't say his number one priority was put more people back to work, help more small businesses succeed...."

To be fair, McConnell and his party have talked extensively (although without many specifics) about their priorities, such as repealing the health care reform bill, ending bailouts, reducing spending, and preserving tax cuts for wealthy Americans, and they would argue that those goals are for the good of the country. And, Mr. Obama himself has been known to offer partisan advice, such as urging Latino voters to "punish our enemies" (he later said "opponents" would have been a better choice of words) on Election Day.

McConnell is a fierce fighter for his party's agenda, but does he put what's best for the country before party politics? As pointed out by his local paper, The Courier-Journal, McConnell has some explaining to do.

In his autobiography, "Decision Points," former President Geoge W. Bush describes a Sept. 2006 meeting with McConnell in the midst of a tough time in the Iraq occupation and an upcoming mid-term election. According to the former president, McConnell urged him to bring some troops home from Iraq to lessen political risks, as the Democrats looked ready to take seats from the Republican Party. Mr. Bush rebuffed McConnell's request — and the Republicans did receive a "shellacking" by the voters.

On Sept. 5, 2006, as part his political maneuvering, McConnell said, "The Democrat[ic] leadership finally agrees on something — unfortunately it's retreat," referring to a letter from Democrats calling on Mr. Bush to reduce troop levels in Iraq.

So far McConnell's office hasn't denied the conversation cited in Mr. Bush's memoir. So it remains a clear example of what's wrong in Washington, and why voters have such distrust of Congress

In a Washington Post op-ed, pollsters Douglas E. Schoen and Patrick H. Caddell recommend what they suggest is the only way to affect forward movement in Washington: Mr. Obama foregoing a second term. They wrote:

"If the president goes down the reelection road, we are guaranteed two years of political gridlock at a time when we can ill afford it. But by explicitly saying he will be a one-term president, Obama can deliver on his central campaign promise of 2008, draining the poison from our culture of polarization and ending the resentment and division that have eroded our national identity and common purpose."

It's a highly unlikely scenario. The 2012 race is already underway. Every move in Washington will be scrutinized and calculated (by each party) in terms of its impact on winning the presidency, and not necessarily on what is best for the country.

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Daniel Farber is editor-in-chief of CBSNews.com. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter.

[reviews8775]

I am from Kentucky and I think it is a shame that we have someone like Mitch McConnell to represent us. He does everything he possibly can to go against our President. I will vote against McConnell every chance I get....people like that in the office should not be allowed to serve any more time than a President. He is a disgrace to the State of Kentucky.

[laurits72]

im a republican but i am sick of this crap. how bout everyone growing up in d.c.?

[Cattzen]

Senator McConnell is sustaining the Rush Limbaugh Plan to have Americans and America continue to FAIL!

If you're not part of the solution well, then you must be a REPUBLICAN!

[bamio]

It's any thinking person's main priority to make sure that Obamie is a one-term Prexy.

[tryhonesty]

"1950veteran" Well posted! Too bad so many of our fellow Americans have become lazy to seek compassion for the truth and facts.

[element51]

I have never doubted for a moment that the objective of the republican party is to re-gain complete power in Washington. This goal supercedes any other and they will not back off until they win....and they will win. Why? Because they are relentless in their attacks on Obama. The American people will hear them because they will not "speak softly" but will flood the airways with the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck. Americans are not interested in facts or truth, only in who tells the best lies. There was a time when the republicans went about their objective quietly but now they make no secret of their goal. They seem to know that they have the support of the American people to stab them in the back. So don't complain America...you're going to get exactly what you asked for.

[jrjrc]

It would not surprise me if the allegations about McConnell are true (and to date, I have not heard McConnell deny them). It seems that the Republicans end game is about ?winning elections? (even if it means DESTROYING the country), and NOT effective governance and improving the lives of ALL Americans. President Obama has frequently compromised and tried to work with the Republicans in a bi-partisanship manner, but the Republicans strategy has been to say NO for the past 2 years to proposed Democratic AND Republican legislation that could produce jobs, reduce the deficit, reduce foreclosures and bankruptcies, improve healthcare and education, better the economy, etc., and move the country forward.

No political party or person in office is perfect, but LISTED BELOW are some (not all) of the reasons why Americans should remember and feel PROUD of President Obama and his administration's accomplishments (in spite of the Republicans obstructionism), and realize that these accomplishments far outweigh the disappointments:

1.. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children.

[jrjrc]

MORE ACCOMPLISHIMENTS CONTINUED:

41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba , allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49.. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57. Increasing student loans
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66. Improving benefits for veterans and active duty service members.
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announ the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform.......

[RobAla]

I am an independent conservative, who for the first time in almost 40 years of voting did not vote for a single Democrat in the 2010 election. Until this year, I have always voted for the person - not the party. However, this changed when the Democrat party turned the party over to extremist progressives.
The President and the Democrat controlled Congress have done plenty. However, it is not been what the majority of Americans wanted or even what the left wing of the country was told.

The President's popularity has decreased due to the following:
Most Americans don't care for lies, corruption, and extremism in a President:
1) He lied 8 times in promises to televise the health care discussions openly on CSPAN.
2) He made deals giving one premium health care plan to union members (supporters) and another to the rest of the country.
3) He stood by and allowed the House and Senate to buy health care votes using taxpayer money.
4) He allowed the health care bills to be fashioned behind closed doors and be filled with political favors.
5) He and they took over the nations health care by the federal government - most Americans did not want this extreme action - and still do not..
6) He irresponsibly overspent 100s of billions of dollars the US didn't have on bailouts (President Bush started it and President Obama accelerated it) and bogus stimulus packages.
7) He has behaved in the most partisan manner of any recent President, after promising bipartisanship.
8) Instead of securing the border and enforcing federal immigration laws, the President has made war on Arizona Americans as they attempt to protect themselves from an invasion of illegal immigrants.
9) The President's man, AG Holder, dropped his case against the Black Panthers who blatantly intimidated voters at the polls.
10) This President has focused on this extremist agenda, instead of the millions without jobs. You can not grow the federal government on the backs of business and taxpayers during a recession, and expect job creation.
11) President Obama imposed a moratorium on drilling in the gulf, throwing thousands more out of work. One foreign oil company screwed up, and the President decided to punish other oil companies that have drilled responsibly for decades.
12) President Obama wants the President Bush tax cuts to expire, which will result in redirecting money away from the economy and push it into Washington.
13 The President and this Congress have maintained a 9.5% unemployment rate for over a year, and the President now states that he expects a 9% unemployment rate into 2012. This is absolutely unacceptable.

Just to name a few.
This is given rise to anti-democrat and anti-Obama opinion.

[tonyatq]

Independent, yeah right sound like GOP and Fox lies to me.

[CarloCaraluzzo]

So, according to the Washingto Post the only way to get anything accomplished in Washington is to let the Republicans have total control forever? If we do not they will act to prevent any positive things from happening during a democratic administration?
My question is simple. How do people who BLATENTLY IGNORE the will of the people, obstruct every attempt to fix the messes THERE leadership made, actually have ANY credibility?

[meshine]

The Democrats and Republicans continue to fight over whose agenda is better for America while the economy continues to falter and stall leaving millions without jobs and homes. We've borrowed trillions from the Chinese which we may never be in a position to pay back. Meanwhile, the Chinese economy continues to grow and provide for their huge population. It's becoming more apparent everyday that the Chinese will soon be in a position to conquer America without a shot ever being fired.