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What, us worry?
Polls and conventional wisdom aside, White House planning for next year’s legislative agenda is rooted in confidence that its folks will continue to be in charge in both chambers on Capitol Hill.
“I think the president has been very clear that he’s preparing for a Congress that has Republican leadership, and that’s the way we’ll continue to proceed. It’s the only way to proceed,” Tony Fratto, a relatively new White House spokesman, said aboard Air Force One today as President Bush headed to Florida for political fund-raising events.
Why not also plan for the possibility that Democrats might control the House, the Senate or both?
“We’re still in the game,” Fratto said, “and if you’re in the game, you’re in it to win.”
But nobody knows the outcome of the game, a reporter reminded Fratto.
“We feel confident about the outcome, and that’s the way we’re going to proceed,” he replied.
Fratto remained on his game in the face of a couple of contentious follow-up questions.
“We are ready. We’re ready to work with a Republican Congress,” he said.
Confronted with the possibility that that meant the White House is not ready to work with a Democatic Congress, Fratto said, “Questions? Anything else? Thank you.”
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