Mitch McConnell blamed Trump imposing artificial deadlines and not know how the legislative process works for the perception that Republicans are failing to govern.
CNN reported:
“Our new president, of course, has not been in this line of work before,” said McConnell according to CNN affiliate WCPO which covered the event. “I think he had excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process.”
McConnell made the case that the Congress is working as it should and that voters should allow the process to play itself out before passing judgment.
“Part of the reason I think people think we’re under-performing is because of too many artificial deadlines unrelated to the reality of the legislature which may have not been understood.”
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McConnell has become increasingly frustrated with Trump’s do it now attitude combined with a total lack of understanding of how the legislative process works.
The Republican leader of the Senate is also trying to save his majority by blaming Trump for the very real perception that the Senate has failed to deliver. The truth is that Trump has put unrealistic expectations of quick action in the Senate, but it is also true that Mitch McConnell has failed as Majority Leader because McConnell has tried to operate the Senate in the same way that Paul Ryan runs the House.
The House rules are set up so that the majority does rule. The Senate designed to be a more deliberative body with more minority voice and power. Running the Senate by trying to ram through go it alone legislation on health care or tax cuts was never going to work, and that poor strategic decision is all on McConnell.
The failure to get anything done is dividing Trump and McConnell.
Trump is trying to save his presidency by blaming McConnell, while McConnell is trying to save his majority by blaming Trump.
The rats are fleeing the sinking ship as signs are growing that Republicans are going down fast.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
