Obama spreads good cheer to Republicans
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It must be the Nobel Peace Prize, but President Obama reached out to Republicans today, marking a return to his efforts at bipartisanship.
Earlier this week, Obama spoke harshly of Republicans when he unveiled his jobs and economic proposals, but the president was in a different mood today.
“It’s no secret that there has been less than full bipartisan support for the Recovery Act and for the steps that broke the free fall of the economy,” Obama said of his meeting with congressional leaders. “But my hope is that as we move forward we can do so together, recognizing that we have a shared responsibility to meet our economic challenges on behalf of all Americans.”
Obama noted he was meeting with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
It is “appropriate that I met with leaders of both parties,” he said. “Spurring hiring and economic growth are not Democratic or Republican issues. They are American issues.”
The political bonhomie continued at a later stop to announce more than $500 million in grants to community health groups. Obama described the healthcare woes that many Americans face.
“No matter what party we belong to, or where on the political spectrum we fall,” Obama said, “none of us thinks this acceptable. None of us would defend this system.”
Obama’s change of tone could be due to his trip to pick up the peace prize. He leaves tonight and returns to Washington with his award Friday.
Or the usual round of Washington Christmas parties may be playing a role.
Before the meeting with congressional leaders, Obama appeared to be in mid-banter about the congressional holiday party at the White House, according to the reporter pool report.
“I saw Boehner drinking eggnog,’’ the president said.
“I was drinking wine,’’ House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) responded.
-- Michael Muskal
twitter.com/LATimesmuskal
