He knows that, if the Republicans are to win back the presidency in 2016, they must prove their ability to govern responsibly. He also recognizes that the Republicans would otherwise find it much more difficult to hold onto the Senate in the next election, when more swing-state seats are in play.
麦康奈尔的战略属于典型的远见卓识。他明白，如果共和党要在2016年重新赢得总统大选，就必须证明能够负责任地治理国家。他还认识到，若非如此，共和党将在下一次选举中十分难以控制参议院，因为届时将由更多的摇摆席位。他还知道，公众对国会的认可度已经降到了百分之十几——几乎是历史最低。