Despite testy exchanges, GOPs applaud Obama for meeting with them at retreat

[think]

I wish this 90 minutes of discussion would have been what America's saw rather than the State of The Union Address. President Obama met with Congressional Republicans on Friday for a questions and answers session that was very enlightening.

If you are into politics on either side it is worth the 90 minutes to watch. I mean that sincerely. People will still disagree on issues but the discussion brings things to light that aren't covered in the media. There also seems to be feeling of hope on both sides for more civility and a desire to work together for the good of America. At least that's what I came away with.

Here is the run down by Thehill.com and a link to the entire discussion:

Despite testy exchanges, GOPs applaud Obama for meeting with them at retreat
By Molly K. Hooper - 01/29/10 06:13 PM ET

BALTIMORE -- House Republican leaders largely praised President Barack Obama after they engaged in a testy 90-minute exchange with the commander-in-chief on Friday.

Like a boxer after a slugfest, GOP officials expressed respect for the president for being straightforward with them.

But it's unclear whether the meeting, or Obama's pledge to hold monthly meetings with the minority, will overcome deep partisan divides that have left both sides mistrustful of the other's intentions.

House GOP lawmakers left their meeting with Obama torn between hopeless frustration and renewed pride on Friday.

On one hand, they disagreed with many of Obama's claims. On the other, they believe they made a step toward shedding the "party of no" label.

Despite the “lecture” by the commander-in-chief, as one member described it, Republicans had the opportunity to articulate the proposals they've sent to the president over the past year.

And for the first time, Obama acknowledged that House Republicans had crafted measures to stimulate the economy, reduce the budget deficit and reduce health insurance costs.

At a number of times during the rare, televised, question and answer session with members, the president said that he had read many of their proposals.

“I’ve actually read your bills,” the president said to a packed banquet room at Baltimore’s Marriott Renaissance hotel.

That doesn't mean he is ready to endorse them. 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."

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters following the lengthy meeting that it “went well.”

"For Republicans, at least one important goal was achieved: it got President Obama to acknowledge repeatedly on national TV that Republicans have in fact offered detailed alternatives on all of the big issues, flatly contradicting a fundamental White House talking point of the past year,” a GOP aide explained.
.....
Link to the rest of thehill.com story: http://v.bz/sQ7gJ


Link to complete video and full transcript of the event:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_442423.html

[fab]

Does seem to have been a positive idea from both sides!

[think]

Does seem to have been a positive idea from both sides!

Totally agree. I do hope that this type of discussion will become part the norm. Discussions like this give us a much clearer view of what is going on in American politics.