Posted on 08/02/2011 5:44:15 AM PDT by maggief
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) was the steadying hand that helped President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) strike a deal to raise the debt ceiling.
At a time when Boehner faced repeated insurrection from Tea Party-affiliated freshmen, McConnell calmed financial markets by declaring from the outset that GOP leaders would not allow the nation to default on its debt.
Over the weekend, he helped seal a bipartisan deal to raise the debt ceiling and avert the danger of missing the Aug. 2 deadline set by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
McConnell’s actions have won plaudits from Democrats, but they could make him the target of a conservative backlash.
Despite the political threat from his right flank, McConnell kept focused on his goal of preserving Republican chances of capturing the Senate in 2012. He feared that prize could slip away if Democrats successfully blamed the GOP for causing a national default and damaging the economy.
On Saturday, Vice President Biden called McConnell in an attempt to restart debt-limit talks with the GOP leadership, according to a Senate aide familiar with the sequence of events.
Later that day, Obama followed up with a telephone call of his own, hoping that McConnell could help end the partisan standoff.
McConnell has insisted throughout the contentious talks over spending cuts and taxes that he would not discuss anything without keeping Boehner in the loop.
Careful not to get “cross-wise” with the House GOP leadership, according to one aide, McConnell shuttled back and forth from his office to Boehner’s office on Saturday and Sunday, acting as a broker between president and Speaker. He used the red-painted hallway connecting their offices, which is off-limits to reporters, to travel back and forth.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Yep! I can truly say that good ‘ol Mitch has certainly “enhanced” his reputation around here!
And this is supposed to what? Endear him to us? Do we pin a gold medal on him now or when dems and rinos can’t agree on what cuts to make and they gut our military? Or Granny goes over the cliff? What???
If this is the GOP *brand*, I don’t want it.
The “Republican brand” stinks.
McConnell has been undercutting things from the start. Wasn’t he the one who basically shot down Ryan’s excellent plan?
I think Boehner was unfairly (and way too viciously) criticized by many here, while McConnell was secretly maneuvering around and doing the Dems’ bidding from the Senate side.
Hence my tag....
Yeah, the markets are calmly crashing.
Pray for America
BS!!! McConnell and the RINOs fell for a sting operation by the dimocrats and MSM. They were had!!
If the media are saying nice things about you you're on the wrong track
Republican Media Rule #2
If the media gives you advice, the direct opposite is the most beneficial direction in which to take the country or your party.
They keep insisting on repeating this lie. Our problems have everything to do with the debt, and little to do with the debt ceiling. Markets would have reacted far better to the congress showing some real intention to stop the insane spending instead of making phantom cuts.
Funny isn’t it how McConnell was tool for Obama while demanding a bi-partisan deal out of one side of his mouth while telling republicans that it’s to insure that we have a totally partisan House and Senate in 2012.
All the while insuring the the republican establishment brand literally STINKS!
When McConnell loses his leadership position in the Senate, I’m sure he’s been promised a nice seat in the Obama cabinet should Obama win in 2012.
They're never going to like you so stop to trying to be liked and start doing what you said you would in your campaign.
Mitch McConnell. Part of the problem, not the solution.
I disagree—it was intentional. The GOP leadership, Democrat leadership and MSM are on the same team!
So much, BS and no hip boots, the little man from Kentucky needs to find himself a nice quiet retirement double wide.
Yeah, the Commies want to go steady with Yurtle.
Too bad mitch didn’t control the gang of 6 before they undermined CCB.
I think you could say with a good bit of justification that McConnell could be an Arlen Specter twin. I wonder how long we have to wait for him to switch parties too? It can't be soon enough for me!
We need to send in Trent Lott to give him “butch” lessons...how sad is that.
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