McConnell dissents

I was hoping that Republicans would end the Obama-post-election-honeymoon-daydream, but only because I like keeping my blog chock full of drama and intrigue, which may be bad for a country in deep crisis that needs to become more bipartisan and cooperative, but is good for a political junkie like me that likes a good scoop.
Mitch McConnell, fresh from near-defeat in the most expensive Senate race in Kentucky history, said today that he will be urging fellow Republican senators to challenge Obama's and Democrat's plans for a massive economic stimulus bill that Obama wants on his desk on January 20th.
The bill has been called by many the most ambitous federal spending bill since the great depression and promises over $700 billion in aid to national infrastructure, state governments, and relief for working class families squeezed by the expanding recession.
This will be a chance for Republicans to dig their heels in early on and tarnish Obama's pledges to bring the country into a more cooperative spirit, and breakdown some of the gridlock that has plagued congress for many years. Some may see it as a last desperate stand by a party facing internal disunity, a dismal public perception and severe branding issues. Some others however, may see it as the foundation of building a new image for 2010, and a return to more classical conservative values of smaller government and tempered federal spending.
However, the majority of the population thinks the government needs to somehow involve itself personally into helping the ailing economy and there is broad, however cautious, support for Obama's ambitious plan.
McConnell is one a slippery slope here, especially after the Republican Party helped Bush and Henry Paulson pass thir equally massive $700 Billion Bailout in September. So not to sound like a complete sellout, and to seem like the GOP has some sort of spine, he seems intent on blocking what will be Obama's first bill as president.
Obama has the Democratic votes to ram the bill through Congress, but gaining support from leading Republicans would go a long way to build Obama some political capital and would also keep him from being demonized in the op-eds come next Spring.