In my post yesterday about House Republicans trying to answer Obama’s call for stimulus ideas, I mentioned that the Big O is getting something of an era of good feeling from his congressional opposition. MSNBC’s First Read points out more examples, this time from the Senate.
Here’s Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, after voting against releasing the $350 billion remaining in TARP:
“Again, I want to express my appreciation to the incoming administration for its responsiveness to Republican concerns. Every time we asked a question it was promptly answered. So far, Republican interactions with the incoming administration have been quite encouraging and appreciated. While I voted on the losing side, I hope the new administration will consider some of my concerns, and we hope their stewardship of these funds is successful in stabilizing the markets according to the original purpose of the TARP.”
That attitude probably won’t last, but for one day at least, Obama has managed to change the tone in Washington. And here is Senator Bob Corker, a Republican from Tennessee:
“This was a painful vote for me. I greatly respect President-elect Obama’s economic team, Larry Summers and Tim Geithner, and I look forward to working with them in any way I can.”
Not bad, huh? Not even president, and he’s done what George Bush admits he couldn’t do in eight years.
