The McConnell Nonrescue
Thu, 08/03/2017 - 5:00am
Bob Franken
It was the end of 2012. The country was courting fiscal and political disaster. The Obama-administration Democrats were at an impasse with the adamant GOP contingent on Capitol Hill. At the last minute, or so it seemed, then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Vice President Joe Biden: “Does anyone down there know how to make a deal?”
Biden was precisely the one to approach. He had spent 36 years in the Senate, and countless days and nights negotiating compromise with McConnell and the Republicans. The answer to McConnell in 2012 was “not really,” so Biden and McConnell stepped in and figured out a bargain that prevented a debacle, avoided thanks to the two grown-ups and their long experience cobbling together agreements when all hope seemed lost.
To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://www.etypeservices.com/South%20Arkansas%20SunID643/