Mitch McConnell, Senate Republican Leader, in early November:
"Our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny President Obama a second term in office."Harry Reid, Senate Democratic leader, around the same time:
"Despite the changes, our charge remains the same. Our number-one priority is still getting people back to work. And the most important change we can make is in working more productively as a unified body to help our economy regain its strength."E. J. Dionne, respected Washington Post columnist:
For the moment, Republicans have no interest in moving the nation’s debate toward investments in job creation because they gain twice over from keeping Washington mired in discussions on the deficit. It’s a brute fact that Republicans benefit if the economy stays sluggish.
