House Republicans: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Press Release
WordPress

BALTIMORE (Feb. 1, 2010) – On Friday following the first State of the Union Address of the new decade, President Obama spoke at the House Republican Conference in Baltimore, MD to make a plea for bipartisanship in governance. In his opening speech, Mr. Obama stressed the importance of debate, challenging differing views, and its necessity to maintaining a health democracy. After his speech and absent his teleprompter, he took unscripted questions from House members on issues ranging from the national deficit to health care, giving republicans the opportunity to have discourse as well as challenge his Administration’s polices.

“Part of the reason I accepted your invitation, to come here, is because I want to speak with all of you – and not just to all of you,” said Mr. Obama in the opening of his speech, hoping to set a unifying tone in the debate. Continuing with the tone of unity the president made note of past instances of bipartisanship, emphasizing bilateral support for added troops in Afghanistan and defending the homeland.

“So it may be useful for the international audience, right now to understand, and certainly our enemies to have no doubt, whatever divisions and differences [that] may exist in Washington, the United States of America stands as one to defend our country,” said Obama to a roar of applause.

Shortly after Mr. Obama’s speech concluded, the questions began with Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), the chairman of the conference, on the topics of unemployment, stimulus spending, and embracing an “across the board” tax cut. Obama responded with a chronological description of the job losses to the economy prior to his administration’s policies going into effect, citing the job losses for the first quarter of his administration beginning in December 2008 through February of last year, which accounted for 2 million jobs. Mr. Obama also pointed to two-thirds of the $787 billion stimulus which consists of tax cuts for 95% of working families, tax cuts for small businesses, unemployment insurance, COBRA and state support, stressing the stimulus was common-sense legislation republicans would normally propose, advocate and support to fight a recession.

The House Republicans threw various questions at the president covering almost every single republican talking-point, concern, and controversy surrounding the Obama administration. Yet Mr. Obama kept his wits about him and directly addressed every question with the exception of discretionary spending policy posed by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WIS), for reasons that it would take more time to clearly debate the topic. Mr. Obama took the opportunity, however, to dispel the notion that he would resist a stimulus plan, republican or democrat, that would cost half as much as the $787 billion stimulus bill and return twice as many jobs – being careful to maintain a nonpartisan tone.

On the topic of energy, Mr. Obama reemphasized his support for clean coal technology, nuclear energy, and other sources of renewable energy as a means securing America’s energy and manufacturing future, adding that America must lead in the production of the new energy technologies, because the world has already begun to embark on the new energy revolution.

Overall the Republican House Conference was a success for both republicans and the president. The debate provided a forum in which all questions, myths, rumors and concerns could be address in an open and honest debate. The conference also presented an opportunity for republicans and democrats to cooperate with each other, while placing more responsibility on the republicans to be more open to compromise, rather than seeking an all-or-nothing approach to legislation.

Every American should watch this debate, not only because of the topics it covers, but because it is the American thing to do – to be mindful of the Obama Administration’s agenda and to witness the moments of consensus that were shared throughout the conference. Most importantly, Mr. Obama called for an end to extreme rhetoric because Americans are hurting and liable to believe the rhetoric, stating indulging in adverse assertions about each other (elected officials), and framing debate in a destructive tone makes it more difficult for republicans and democrats to work together in a bipartisan fashion.

To view the speech, Q&A, and reaction from the House Republican Conference please visit cspan.org or click the link provided below:

http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2010/01/29/HP/A/28993/House+Republican+Retreat+with+Pres+Obama.aspx

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