U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) gives the thumbs up to the audience at the 38th annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) meeting at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, February 10, 2011. The CPAC is a project
U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) gives the thumbs up to the audience at the 38th annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) meeting at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, February 10, 2011. The CPAC is a project of the American Conservative Union Foundation. REUTERS

Sen. Mitch McConnell said Democrats' recent tributes to late President Ronald Reagan on his 100th birthday were an attempt to draw attention away from thei policies over the past two years.

I don't know if you've noticed, but Washington has undergone a rather bizarre transformation over the past few weeks. Olbermann is out and Reagan is in, he said as the audience laughed and clapped in approval at the opening day of this year's Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.

I mean, you can't turn on C-SPAN or cable news these days without hearing some liberal Democrat saying nice things about Ronald Reagan. It's a nice development don't you think?

Now you all know the reason they're doing it. They want you to forget what they've been up to for the past two years. The good news is nobody's buying it. Americans are no more convinced that [Sen.]Dick Durbin looks up to Ronald Reagan than they thought Obamacare would make health care better or less expensive.

He said Democrats were underestimating the intelligence and memory of the American voter.

They seem to think that if they just tweak their language a little bit, sit down with Bill O'Reilly for a few minutes and talk nice about our political idols we'll forget all the rest.

McConnell said he would keep the pressure on Democrats to repeal last year's health care reform bill.

On Sunday, President Barack Obama lauded Reagan for being someone that recognized that each of us has the power - as individuals and as a nation - to shape our own destiny.

He had faith in the American promise; in the importance of reaffirming values like hard work and personal responsibility; and in his own unique ability to inspire others to greatness, Obama said.

No matter what political disagreements you may have had with President Reagan - and I certainly had my share - there is no denying his leadership in the world, or his gift for communicating his vision for America, he stated.

Last week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, said Reagan understood the value of bipartisanship and civility in all our debates.

On his 100th birthday, we honor President Reagan's service and express gratitude for his character, she said.

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