McConnell Blast Obama for Tactics That ‘Corrode Our Democracy’ at CPAC

McConnell accuses Obama of dirty tactics that 'demean' the presidency

By Alexander Bolton and Jonathan Easley, The Hill - 02/09/12 01:48 PM ET

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Thursday accused President Obama and his advisers of using dirty tactics that demean the presidency.

The normally reserved leader delivered one of his most blistering attacks ever against Obama at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) conference.

“The White House and its lieutenants have made an art form out of the orchestrated attack. They’ve shown they’ll go after anybody or any organization they think is standing in their way,” he said.

“These things demean the office of president. They corrode our democracy and they need to stop,” he said.

McConnell cited a gag order the administration placed on an insurance company during the healthcare debate; research the administration has done on the tax records of political opponents; and plans by Democrats in Congress to hold hearings on Republican fundraising groups.

“For a president who spends so much time talking about fairness, there’s a serious shortage of it at the White House and among many of his closest allies,” McConnell said. “Again and again this administration has used the resources of the government itself to intimidate or silence those who question or oppose it and reward their friends and punish their enemies.”