by Christi Parsons
Not long after emerging from a meeting with congressional leaders this afternoon, President Barack Obama unexpectedly took over his press secretary's daily briefing for reporters to give his own view of the state of bipartisanship -- declaring that he would set aside some Democratic "preferences" on some issues but warning that Republicans would also have to makes sacrifices, too.
"Bipartisanship depends on both Republicans and Democrats" giving in a little bit, Obama said, adding that he "won't hesitate to condemn obstinacy" where it crops up -- whethere it's on healthcare, fiscal responsibility or presidential nominations pending approval by the Senate.
But bipartisanship doesn't mean that "I have to agree to everything they want," the president said, or that Republicans have to given in completely.
The president's unusual appearance in the press briefing room in the West Wing of the White House came on the heels of what Obama says will be a regular bipartisan meetings with congressional leaders. Today's was held in the president's Cabinet room.
Republican leaders, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), came out of the meeting also pointing to places for possible compromise. Boehner said Republicans are "considering" the possibility of appointing members to Obama's fiscal commission, and didn't rule out the possibility of participating in a healthcare summit with the president later this month.
Still, GOP leaders signaled that they are not warm to the idea of simply tweaking the healthcare plans in their current state, and instead want to start from scratch and build something entirely new.
"We're interested in a bipartisan conversation," Boehner said, but a "bipartisan conversation ought to be that from the beginning."
In his conversation with reporters, Obama said he wouldn't let Democrats run roughshod over Republicans during their collaboration, but he also decried several moves which he views as overly partisan.
For one thing, he pointed out that his nominee to head the General Services Administration was held up for weeks in the Senate and then was approved easily.
"That's not advice and consent," the president said, but rather delay and obstruction.
He said that, if Republicans play politics with other nominees, he will consider making recess appointments -- nominating appointees during congressional breaks, side-stepping confirmation.
There are "legitimate and genuine differences" between the parties, the president said, but there's also "political posturing."
Americans, Obama said, "are tired of every day being Election Day here in Washington."
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