The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room » McConnell Suggests an Agenda for Obama


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November 17, 2008

McConnell Suggests an Agenda for Obama

@ 1:08 pm by Chris Good

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) today outlined a list of "big issues" he thinks President-elect Barack Obama and Republicans can agree on and pledged his own readiness to work with the Illinois Democrat.

"I hope President-elect Obama will go after the big things, and go after them early. If he does, our chances of achieving a positive result for the American people will be greatly increased," McConnell said this morning in a statement released by his office.

"We could start with some of the things President-elect Obama spoke about on the campaign trail — such as cutting spending, paying down the national debt, providing speedy tax relief, committing to a long-term strategy for energy independence, and reining in out-of control entitlement spending that threatens to consume 70% of the federal budget in just nine years."

McConnell also warned Democrats against pursuing "narrow" and divisive issues.

"As I see it, we face a simple choice: we can either work together to confront the big issues of the day that neither party is willing or able to tackle on its own, or the Majority can instead focus on narrow, partisan issues that appeal to a tiny sliver of the populace but which lack the support of the American mainstream," McConnell said.

McConnell pledged GOP cooperation in confirming cabinet secretaries and said he is personally ready to work with Obama once the Illinois Democrat assumes the White House.

�I told the President-elect that I�ll be here to work with him once he takes office," McConnell said, recalling a phone conversation with Obama after the election. "I think both of us are eager to confront the challenges ahead. And I told him he can expect cooperation on the confirmation of qualified nominees to key cabinet posts."

Archived under: Administration, News, Other
Tags: Barack Obama, Mitch McConnell

3 Comments »

The Hill welcomes comment from anyone and will almost always post it whether it is favorable or critical, as long as it is substantive and advances debate.

With all due respect, Senator, I believe that you are at odds with 52% of the American public as to what is considered 'Big'. My vote was a mandate– and yours is not it.

Comment by Lynn Moor — November 17, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
Hah! He thinks slashing spending is the priority? Is he insane? No, he wants the economy to get worse so that Obama will fail and get bootedin four.

SPEND THE MONEY AND THEN SOME, MR PRESIDENT-ELECT. Spend it on working peoples' projects. Build bridges and wind farms and electric cars and university libraries and hire faculty and provide healthcare for everyone. That's what Americans voted for and there is nothing stopping us but a crisis of will.

Comment by V. — November 17, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
Hmmm, those aren't bad priorities…where was McCdonnell the last few years? Right now, he's best ignored.

Comment by Don — November 17, 2008 @ 4:11 pm

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November 17, 2008

McConnell Suggests an Agenda for Obama

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