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US Republicans Voice Hope for New Year

   VOA News 02 January 2010
   Sen.  Mitch  McConnell of Ky., center, shows copy of Democratic health
   care  reform bill during news conference on Capitol Hil (Nov 2009 file
   photo)

Photo: AP

   Sen.  Mitch  McConnell of Ky., center, shows copy of Democratic health
   care  reform bill during news conference on Capitol Hil (Nov 2009 file
   photo)

   The  U.S.  opposition  political  party  has  delivered  a  message of
   optimism for the new year.
   Speaking  for  Republicans  in  their  weekly address, Senate minority
   leader  Mitch  McConnell  says  better  days  are ahead for the United
   States, despite political disagreements.
   He  says "powerful forces may be aligned against" the country, after a
   year   that  has  included  skyrocketing  unemployment,  massive  bank
   failures,  record  troop  deaths  in  Afghanistan, and a Christmas Day
   terrorist attempt against a U.S.-bound passenger plane.
   But McConnell cites historical examples and says, "when challenges are
   greatest, Americans always join ranks" to overcome them.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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