Schumer Rips McConnell’s Leadership

In an interview with Politico, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-Ny., used intense partisan language to attack Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., calling the GOP leader’s strategy “petty” and painting him as weak.

The extensive piece shows the New York Democrat criticizing McConnell on a number of fronts, from the high-profiled budget negotiations to little known trade agreements. The two have been bitter foes since 2008, when the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee that Schumer chaired ran attack ads against McConnell over the bank bailout.

“Schumer wants people to think that Republicans are in charge. Given the way the economy has gone under their/the president’s watch, I don’t blame him,” said McConnell spokesman Don Stewart.

As observers note, Schumer’s heated rhetoric may be a preview of the Democratic Party’s strategy for the 2012 election—tying the GOP agenda around McConnell’s neck.