Since Joe Biden was prematurely declared the winner of the November election he has been calling for “unity” of a divided nation. The message hasn’t been received well considering the constant barrage of insults thrown at Republicans over the past years. Now, Biden’s deputy chief of staff, Jen O’Malley Dillon is talking out of both sides of her mouth as she calls Republicans a “bunch of f–ers” and dubbed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “terrible” before claiming the new administration will be able to work with Republicans.
During an interview, Dillion, who also worked as Biden’s campaign manager, protected Biden from Democrat’s skepticism over his insistent remarks that Republicans will want to work with him once Trump leaves office.
In a report from The Hill:
“The president-elect was able to connect with people over this sense of unity,” O’Malley Dillon said.
“In the primary, people would mock him, like, ‘You think you can work with Republicans?’ I’m not saying they’re not a bunch of f—ers. Mitch McConnell is terrible. But this sense that you couldn’t wish for that, you couldn’t wish for this bipartisan ideal? He rejected that. From start to finish, he set out with this idea that unity was possible, that together we are stronger, that we, as a country, need healing, and our politics needs
During the campaign, Biden insisted that his years of experience in the Senate will prove useful once he takes office. Biden claims that his years-long relationship with Republican lawmakers would put him in the ideal position to work with the opposing party. Democrats have questioned if McConnell will be willing to work with Democrats as he’s become a major political figure and parties have become more polarized. Dillion recognized it will be an uphill battle.
“Which is not to say it is easy. It is like a relationship. You can’t do politics alone. If the other person is not willing to do the work, then that becomes really hard,” she said.
“But I think, more than not, people want to see impact. They want to see us moving in a path forward. They want to do their work, get paid a fair share, have time for themselves and their family, and see each other as neighbors. And this overhang of this negative, polarized electorate that politics has created is the thing that I think we can break down.”
While Biden and McConnell have worked together before, even making deals while Biden was Vice President. McConnell recently acknowledged Biden as President-elect for the first time since the November election. However, as the battle for control of the Senate is heating up it’s doubtful McConnell will be reaching out a helping hand anytime soon.
