Obama Meets the "Enemy" on its Turf (Not exactly Daniel in the Lions Den, but ...)

Obama Facing Off with the Republican Representatives

In an unprecedented face-off with many of the House Republicans, President Obama continued to set the tone on Friday (from his earlier State of the Union Speech) for his second year in office. Among other things, he accusing them of derailing his health care overhaul while they complained about being shut out of the political process. Basically, just saying "no!" isn't a reasonable interpretation of being "shut out."

The president's appearance at an annual retreat for House Republicans was intended to be a gesture of bipartisanship. Instead, it devolved surprisingly into a blunt exercise in political finger-pointing, defensiveness and (as of today, continuing) gamesmanship. The Republicans are still twirling in dizzying circles as they continue to play their "game" without rules or protocol.

Obama properly and clearly defended his policies and accused Republicans of distorting his positions for political gain. He obviously was especially critical of the GOP's efforts to derail the health care overhaul bill in Congress.

"You'd think this was some Bolshevik plot," Obama said. "That's how some of you guys presented this."

And he argued forcefully that constant political attacks on his agenda had almost robbed the GOP of any opportunity to contribute.

"What happens is that you guys don't have a lot of room to negotiate with me," Obama said. "The fact of the matter is, many of you, if you voted with the administration on something, are politically vulnerable in your own base, in your own party . . . because what you've been telling your constituents is, 'This guy's doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.' "

The exchange went for 90 minutes -- longer than scheduled.

"I'm having fun," Obama said at one point.

His opening remarks rang a bell or two with me--having been either unemployed or underemployed since 30 June 2009.

He (Obama) began by urging bipartisanship and cooperation in a manner similar to his State of the Union address Wednesday night. "I don't believe the American people want us to focus on our job security. They want us to focus on their job security," Obama said to a surprisingly notable applause.

Though some in the room compared the scene to the biblical tale of Daniel entering the lion's den, the outcome was less dramatic. Republicans did not leave the room purring like kittens, and some were totally unimpressed with the president's attempt to engage them.

"I think the president could be a little more diplomatic," Rep. Gingrey said. "The president reacts a little too much."

The House Republican leader, Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio, was more effusive after the exchange. "I thought the dialogue went very well," Boehner said. "We want to continue to find common ground."

The GOP and their Talking Heads on Fox News Replying (as best they could) to Obama on the Next Day and into this Morning's Sunday Morning Talk Shows