What course for McCain, now back in the Senate?
By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press
November 17, 2008
Page 2 of 2
"He is eager to work across the aisle with colleagues on both sides and doing what he can to improve the country's economic security," said spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan. In addition to the economy, she said his priorities include finding the way ahead in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Whether he has credibility even among Republicans may become clear during the coming week's lame-duck session of Congress.
His most recent legislative work was not convincing.
McCain was unable to deliver enough GOP votes to pass the first version of the $700 billion economic bailout plan, for which he briefly suspended his presidential campaign. A second version later passed and McCain voted for it. But unlike Obama, McCain did not speak in its favor in the Senate -- a move said to disappoint some GOP leaders.
But McCain's legislative work throughout 26 years in the Senate wins universally high praise even from colleagues who have firsthand experience with his temper. Many predicted he would use his talent and his position as the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee to help Obama and Democrats develop an exit strategy for most U.S. forces in Iraq.
McCain also has experience with other issues high on Obama's agenda, from global warming to immigration overhaul.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said McCain can play a major role helping Obama rally public support for legislation among constituencies wary about the incoming president.
For example, a majority of older people voted for McCain over Obama. People who said terrorism was the top issue voted 86 percent to 13 percent for McCain, according to exit polls.
"Inside the caucus, he's never really brought that many votes," Boxer said. "But he has the wherewithal to keep this dialogue going with the American people."
But a national constituency is not enough to make McCain an important player consulted by all sides in the next Congress, she said. Playing nicely with others would help.
"Now, he has to decide which John McCain is going to come to the floor, and I have seen all of the John McCains," Boxer said. "I hope he chooses to be the cooperative John McCain. He can either be a great facilitator of finding solutions or a great obstacle."
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