McConnell: Washington has changed Obama

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) criticized President Obama on Monday, claiming his inaction on entitlement reform suggests he may have been changed by the presidential office.

“Suddenly at the moment when we can actually do something about this [entitlement reform], he is silent,” said McConnell. “On one of the greatest fiscal challenges of the day, he appears at least so far, to have taken a pass.”

“It’s not a question of if [reform is] possible,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “One can’t help but wonder if he has been changed by the office itself. I hope I am wrong about this.”

McConnell added that Republicans are willing to take on the difficult issue, but that they need cooperation from Democrats.

“Republicans are ready and willing," said McConnell.  "Where is the president?" 

McConnell noted that Obama promised to change how business was conducted in Washington.

“It should be disappointing to everyone in America who thought we could tackle these issues,” said McConnell. “It should be disappointing to all of those who thought he would shake up the status quo in Washington.”

Obama has recently indicated he is open to working with the GOP on entitlement spending, though he did not call for such reforms in his new budget request.