but moderate relative to the maddens -- madness that reflected the republican party since newt newt gringrich, i see him quite different than that. perhaps the toughest negotiator. unfortunately he's used that pow er and his political skills solely as a partisan, never as leader of the senate which requires collaboration with the other leaders and the party. we will get into the discussion, let me give you two quick examples. in 2008, the me k -- triggered a financial crisis, henry paul, ben bernanke, timothy went to capitol hill to meet with the leaders, if we don't act now, bernanke told them, we won't have an economy by monday, mcconnell plays a very strong role, he steps up immediately, he understands the urgency of it. he helps the senate get the legislation prepared. when the house rejects legislation, mcconnell goes to the senate floor and guaranties the senate will come through. and they do come through and then the house reverses themselves and we get the legislation which was needed, he takes pride in it as he should. three months later nothing, january 2009, nothing has changed exc