Friday, January 29, 2010
GOP leaders generally satisfied
GOP leaders generally satisfied with Obama discussion
- 01/29/10 02:13 PM ET
House Republicans on Friday praised President Barack Obama for joining the caucus for a televised discussion, but leaders stressed it was up to Democrats in Congress to determine whether progress at that forum translates into reality.After the president spoke at the House Republican Conference in Baltimore -- an hour-long affair during which Obama fielded GOP questions -- GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) said he was pleased the "president finally acknowledged that House Republicans have offered positive alternatives over the past year."
House GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio) subsequently agreed. While he later noted he thought the president "will carry through" on his promises to hold more meetings with the GOP caucus, he expressed concern that House Democratic leaders may not do the same.
"It was a candid conversation, and as you're well aware, we've been through a pretty difficult year," Boehner said at a press availability after the televised forum.
"I'm not going to exacerbate the problem that's already out there," he added, when reporters pressed him on whether the president's words would somehow translate into action. "I think today was a good first step in having more of a dialogue, and I hope it continues."
The president's meeting with House Republicans on Friday arrives at a time when the national political climate is growing increasingly partisan. Healthcare reform, economic recovery packages, financial regulatory reform, higher education bills and energy legislation all remained stalled in one or both chambers, in part because of serious disagreements between the two parties over how to best proceed.
Obama lambasted that reality during his speech and subsequently question-and-answer session, imploring lawmakers to abdicate politics and pursue sincere reform. At the conclusion of his remarks, GOP leaders said they agreed with that general theme, and they implored congressional Democrats to take heed in the president's words.
"This is not the way the Founders envisions the House working, so I hope we'll see more bipartisanship in the House," Boehner said.
Obama encourages House GOP leaders.......
F
Obama encourages House GOP leaders to 'challenge' him at retreat
01/29/10 12:29 PM ET
President Barack Obama on Friday encouraged House Republicans to "challenge my ideas" and continue to "stand up for your beliefs," but he pointedly criticized the caucus for playing politics on important, must-pass reforms.
Obama joined the House Republican Conference in Baltimore on Friday afternoon at the request of House GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio). In a speech that mixed calls for bipartisanship with criticism of Republicans' legislative strategies this year, the president implored the party to renounce the "politics of no" and work with Democrats on key legislation.
"I don't think [the American people] want more gridlock, I don't think they want more partisanship, I don't think they want more obstruction," Obama said. "They didn't send us to Washington to to fight each other in some sort of political cage match to see who comes out alive."
But Friday's forum -- which was civil, for the most part -- occasionally revealed many of the deep partisan divides that initially prompted the White House to accept House Republicans' invitation.
Throughout the televised question-and-answer session that followed Obama's speech, Republican lawmakers challenged the president on his healthcare and economic recovery plans, repeating lines that have long dominated their public critiques of the White House. But Obama was hardly passive in his replies, rendering the discussion occasionally tense.
At one point, the president charged House Republicans have left themselves with "very little room to negotiate" on key legislation currently pending action in Congress.
When Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) criticized the president for ignoring his caucus' healthcare plan, Obama replied that document -- which he said he supported, in principle -- failed to pass a "test of realism." He also fired back at Rep. Jeb. Hensarling (R-Tx.) for mischaracterizing the massive debt Republicans saddled his administration with before he took office.
But moments of consensus did emerge during the hour-long event. Obama said he would support portions of Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) debt-reduction package -- including his line-item veto proposal -- though he added he hoped it could be seriously reshaped in the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, Obama's stern tone on Friday arrives as congressional Democrats are growing increasingly apoplectic with what they describe as unfounded Republican obstructionism.
Healthcare reform remains stalled in the Senate, in part because Democratic leaders have been unable to shore up any GOP support, party members said this week. A much-anticipated, billion-dollar jobs package awaits a similar fate in the Senate, Democratic leaders also fear.
Obama repeated those concerns on Friday, noting the party-line votes that have so far greeted important bills in both chambers of Congress "have been very disappointing."
House GOP members responded to most of the president's lines with silence, only erupting in applause when the president recognized generally important themes, including defense and job creation.
But Obama pined Republicans to remain open to other reforms, including the jobs package Democrats plan to unveil in the coming days. He said in his speech that many of those bills in no way contradict with the "ideological predispositions of this caucus."
"The only thing I don't want ... is for Washington to continue being so Washington-like," Obama said.
"We have to choose whether we'll be politicians first, or partners for progress," he added.
President Barack Obama on Friday encouraged House Republicans to "challenge my ideas" and continue to "stand up for your beliefs," but he pointedly criticized the caucus for playing politics on important, must-pass reforms.
Obama joined the House Republican Conference in Baltimore on Friday afternoon at the request of House GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio). In a speech that mixed calls for bipartisanship with criticism of Republicans' legislative strategies this year, the president implored the party to renounce the "politics of no" and work with Democrats on key legislation.
"I don't think [the American people] want more gridlock, I don't think they want more partisanship, I don't think they want more obstruction," Obama said. "They didn't send us to Washington to to fight each other in some sort of political cage match to see who comes out alive."
But Friday's forum -- which was civil, for the most part -- occasionally revealed many of the deep partisan divides that initially prompted the White House to accept House Republicans' invitation.
Throughout the televised question-and-answer session that followed Obama's speech, Republican lawmakers challenged the president on his healthcare and economic recovery plans, repeating lines that have long dominated their public critiques of the White House. But Obama was hardly passive in his replies, rendering the discussion occasionally tense.
At one point, the president charged House Republicans have left themselves with "very little room to negotiate" on key legislation currently pending action in Congress.
When Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) criticized the president for ignoring his caucus' healthcare plan, Obama replied that document -- which he said he supported, in principle -- failed to pass a "test of realism." He also fired back at Rep. Jeb. Hensarling (R-Tx.) for mischaracterizing the massive debt Republicans saddled his administration with before he took office.
But moments of consensus did emerge during the hour-long event. Obama said he would support portions of Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) debt-reduction package -- including his line-item veto proposal -- though he added he hoped it could be seriously reshaped in the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, Obama's stern tone on Friday arrives as congressional Democrats are growing increasingly apoplectic with what they describe as unfounded Republican obstructionism.
Healthcare reform remains stalled in the Senate, in part because Democratic leaders have been unable to shore up any GOP support, party members said this week. A much-anticipated, billion-dollar jobs package awaits a similar fate in the Senate, Democratic leaders also fear.
Obama repeated those concerns on Friday, noting the party-line votes that have so far greeted important bills in both chambers of Congress "have been very disappointing."
House GOP members responded to most of the president's lines with silence, only erupting in applause when the president recognized generally important themes, including defense and job creation.
But Obama pined Republicans to remain open to other reforms, including the jobs package Democrats plan to unveil in the coming days. He said in his speech that many of those bills in no way contradict with the "ideological predispositions of this caucus."
"The only thing I don't want ... is for Washington to continue being so Washington-like," Obama said.
"We have to choose whether we'll be politicians first, or partners for progress," he added.
Rep. Boehner Minority Leader "Today was a good first step"
Boehner: 'Today was a good first step'
Jan. 29: After meeting with President Obama in Baltimore, Republicans say the meeting was a good first step but progress may depend on follow through from Democrats across the aisle. NBC's Luke Russert reports.
Jan. 29: After meeting with President Obama in Baltimore, Republicans say the meeting was a good first step but progress may depend on follow through from Democrats across the aisle. NBC's Luke Russert reports.
q & a for President Obama
This is a question and answer period, where the Republicans ask questions of the President. What I love is that he has no notes, no machine with his answers. He is out there on his own and holding his own and firing back with as much verocity as the Republicans are giving him. Tonight Rachal, Keith and Chris are having a prime time on MSNBC about this Republican Retreat, and what was said. If I can put that here I will, at least in part. Fox isn't even commenting, really pathetic, fair and balanced my a_ _.....
Address to the GOP Retreat
I did not see of all this interchange. So that is why I am adding this to my blog. The next entry will be the question and answers, which I understand He whooped them. They have no interest to come together with the President or the Democrates. I am certainly tired of them trying to blame the President for theitr eight years of spendiing and not paying for asnything, and then just dismissing it. SHAmE, SHAmE, SHAmE.
Oh and by the way Fox News, the fair and balanced news network, cut away to Glenn Beck and His blackboard because that was more inportant than covering what their representatives where trying to ask and get answers for, They did not offer aany changes or anything that would best what was put forth by the Democrats. It was the same status quo, and blame the President. They believe that because their ideas were not accepted 100%, over that of the Democrats, then they have not been heard, or their ideas not taken seriously, or they have been dismissed. HOW RUDE! They think they are some sort of demi-gods and they do not like having their hands slapped.
Pres. Obama today spoke to House Republi-
cans at their two-day retreat in Baltimore, MD. He repeated his State of the Union address plea for bipartisanship on health care and other economic issues. GOP leaders will comment later, following shortly after a question-and-answer session with the President.
Baltimore, MD
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