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McConnell Keeps Low Profile in Health Debate

Conservative critics think Minority Leader should be fighting administration harder

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2009 10:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Why haven’t we heard more from Mitch McConnell on health care? The Senate Minority Leader has kept relatively quiet on the administration’s reform efforts, a stance that has irked many conservative activists who feel McConnell is ducking his duties as de facto Republican Party leader, writes Stephanie Mencimer for Mother Jones. McConnell “could single-handedly destroy this bill,” says pro-life firebrand Randall Terry. “But so far he has not displayed the backbone."

McConnell’s reserved style has earned him criticism before: Erick Erickson, editor of Red State, slammed him in January for going along with the stimulus, and conservative activist Manuel Miranda publicly called him “limp-wristed” for not opposing the Sotomayor nomination more strongly. But supporters say McConnell’s strategy is wise: He doesn’t need to “match Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi blow by blow with sound bites,” says Grover Norquist—it's better to let the Dems bungle health care, and take advantage later.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., listens to questions at a health care reform forum at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., listens to questions at a health care reform forum at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks during a health care forum at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks during a health care forum at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Sep 10, 2009 1:47 AM CDT
"Red State" sounds rather communist to me and they are a conservative paper? McConnell actually looked like he agreed with President Obama's speech this evening. Finally a Republican with backbone and the ability to do what's right for the American people.
nick
Sep 9, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
To those who voted for Obama, before even considering giving up on the president's drive for his previously stated goals, consider the following: 1) Consider the alternative party. 2) Ask yourself how the last 8 years worked out for you? 3) The PARTY OF NO, not Obama is presently the real enemy in Washington politics, don't discount that fact. Keep the faith, and be patient.
cornelison
Sep 9, 2009 8:32 AM CDT
It's hard to bring sanity to govt. when big money corrupts politicians.Mr. Deebles, we both share a love for American history. I was a kid when Ike was around but Mr. Obama is acting like the Republicans won. His dream of bipartisanship with bullying Republicans is horrifying the voters who put him in The White House. The President is trying to speak to the better nature of the Republicans. You can't seek the better nature of bullies because they have none. There is on thing about Ike that i remembered. His own party told him to go to church on Sunday's & he relented.

 
Nancy Pelosi • Barack Obama • Republican • Senate • Harry Reid • GOP • Mitch McConnell • health care reform • Grover Norquist • Obama administration • President Obama • Sonia Sotomayor • Randall Terry • Erick Erickson • Red State

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