WASHINGTON - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday morning that he doesn't think President Barack Obama is serious about dealing with government spending and the deficit.
Speaking on ongoing budget negotiations between Republicans and the White House on CBS' "Face the Nation," he said, "I was hopeful that we would step up to the plate here." He added, "I don't have any more complaints about more conversations with them. What I don't see is any willingness to do something that's difficult."
The ranking Republican asserted he's not seeing "the level of seriousness" needed in the talks. At one point during the appearance he asked, "Where's the president? ... Where's the leadership?"
McConnell said Obama and others at the White House have talked a lot about it, but are showing no willingness to do anything that's difficult.
The Kentucky Republican offered Social Security as an example, saying that the administration is in denial about the problems facing Social Security.
McConnell said having divided government actually presents an opportunity for doing "big things" in regard to the nation's financial problems. He said he hopes Obama and Democrats can come together with Republicans on spending issues, but he isn't optimistic it will happen.