The Republican Party could use some adults

By Dana Milbank
WashPost
Sunday, October 31, 2010

In an interview last week with National Journal's Major Garrett, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was asked what his priority would be for Republicans after their expected gains in Tuesday's election.

The possibilities were many: Balance the budget and pay down the debt? Fight the terrorists and reform entitlements? Support and defend the Constitution?

No, McConnell's priorities were elsewhere. "The single most important thing we want to achieve," he said, "is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

The single most important thing?

This bit of truth-telling, reminiscent of McConnell's lament in August that "I wish we had been able to obstruct more" of Obama's agenda, underscored a problem that will come to the fore if Republicans succeed in winning a majority on Tuesday: The party is sorely in need of grown-ups.

(More here.)