McConnell’s Line in the Sand
And so we learn that Sen. Mitch McConnell, leader of a declining Republican caucus, wants “a weeklong cooling off period between when the [expected economic stimulus] bill is drafted and when it is voted on, allowing time to dissect it for signs of ‘fraud and waste.’”
Good for McConnell. Despite at least one, unkind protest over the Senator’s sudden, rediscovered love for fiscal sanity, I applaud his call for a time out. No matter how much a government jolt to this ailing economy may (or may not) be needed, when you’re talking about figures in the neighborhood of $850 billion, scrutiny and time to apply it are productive pursuits. I only hope McConnell and his troops don’t confuse legitimate scrutiny for politically convenient obstructionism.
Nate Silver suggests my hope is naïve.
2 Responses to “McConnell’s Line in the Sand”
Pete,
I've never seen Mitch McConnell do a single thing in the Senate for any reasons other than pure partisan politics. I have no doubt whatsoever that the only thing he and his troops will do in that week is look for things to base political attacks on. It's all he knows how to do. Your hope is beyond naive based simply on observing the Republican Senate.
I could buy McConnel's fiscal concern if he applied the same restraint with NCLOB or the semior Drug program.
NCLB Roll Call
Medicare Drug bill Roll Call
Seems McConnel is for big government when his parties in power.
I wonder how a fiscal conservatives like Paul, Flake and Jones voted on NCLB and Medicare Drugs?
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll670.xml
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll497.xml#N
http://www.heritage.org/press/commentary/ed0723…