Norman Ornstein response to Mitch McConnell on Senate gridlock.

[Swede]

snip
Last Wednesday, I watched the Senate floor with fascination as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had an extended discussion about where blame lies for the Senate’s obstruction and near-gridlock. Reid, bless him, repeatedly referred to my new book with Thomas Mann, “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks,” along with an edited excerpt that appeared in the Washington Post Outlook section.

When Reid began to read an extended excerpt, McConnell interrupted him, saying he could barely contain his laughter, since, he said, “I know Norm Ornstein and Tom Mann. They are ultra, ultra liberals.”

First, I want to thank McConnell and urge him to denounce me whenever he gets an opportunity, and to condemn my book with Mann — all I ask is that he mention the title; if he wants to note that it is available in fine bookstores everywhere, and online and makes a great holiday gift, that would be icing on the cake. Second, I want to say something about the idea that I am an “ultra, ultra liberal.” Senator McConnell, I know Bernie Sanders. Bernie Sanders is a friend of mine. And I am no Bernie Sanders.

Over my decades at the American Enterprise Institute (McConnell also referred to me as AEI’s “house liberal”), where I remain a resident scholar in good standing, I have stood out as a raging moderate, but supportive of enough positions that are not ultra, ultra liberal that I have been called such things as a “right-wing quote machine.” Admittedly, that is no more accurate than McConnell’s description. But a guy who, with his co-author, dedicated his last book, “The Broken Branch,” to the late New York Republican Rep. Barber Conable, and who had “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks” receive an enthusiastic endorsement from former Nebraska GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel, is not so easily pigeonholed as McConnell would like.

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/58_11/McConnells-Own-Words-on-Senate-Gridlock-216401-1.html

[longship]

1. That McConnel KY hick doesn't understand those think tank words. Too many syllables. nt

.

[orwell]

2. Don't you get it Norm?

Facts don't matter to this bunch. They say anything and their bots believe it.

So now you are an ultra, ultra liberal whether you like it or not...