Obama, Republicans Spar at House GOP Event

By GREG HITT

BALTIMORE—President Barack Obama sparred Friday with House Republicans in an unusual 90-minute dialogue that exemplified the political gridlock prevailing in the nation's capital.

At the House Republicans' annual issues retreat, Mr. Obama, at times combative and confident, challenged Republicans to find ways to work with his administration and Democrats in Congress and set aside the rhetoric that defined much of the political debate of the past year.

Discussing matters ranging from job growth to the national debt to health care, the president said "both sides" bear responsibility for the "sour climate" on Capitol Hill, and agreed he could have done more during his first year in office to bring the parties together.

"It's not just your side. It's our side as well," he said.

The exchanges at times were sharp. One Republican complained that "the national debt has increased 30%" during the past year; that elicited a rebuke from Mr. Obama, who countered that "The whole question was structured as a talking point."

From time to time, presidents have dropped in on party retreats, regardless of affiliation. But rare is the moment when a sitting president will visit and take public questions from members of the opposition party.

The parties' political momentum is markedly different than many would have anticipated a year ago, with the president back on his heels and the Republican minority ascendant after a series of election victories.

AFP/Getty Images

Barack Obama answers a question at the Republican GOP House Issues Conference

Mr. Obama was received with polite applause on Friday. He noted that Republicans and Democrats, for all their partisan jousting, had worked together on security issues, such as the war in Afghanistan. And he thanked those Republicans who joined in efforts to strengthen the rights of credit-card holders and to boost benefits for the unemployed.

"We have a track record of working together. It is possible," the president said. But he then went on to complain about the largely party-line votes that have defined "some very big things," including pending health-care legislation and the economic-stimulus package enacted a year ago.

At one point, the president complained that Republicans had painted the Democratic health-care bills as a "Bolshevik plot," a line that drew a smattering of applause. He noted that the legislation included many ideas embraced at the start of 2009 by former Republican Sens. Bob Dole and Howard Baker and former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. "That's not a radical bunch," he said.

House Republicans, by and large, support a far less ambitious overhaul of the health-care system, including measures that would allow insurance to be sold across state lines. Mr. Obama said he would be willing to work with Republicans if they could find ways to compromise while embracing shared goals, such as reducing insurance premiums.

"I'm game," he said.

Responded Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn: "Game on."

For Mr. Obama, the meeting with House Republicans was something of a foray into the lion's den. Republicans have fought every major White House initiative during the past year, from the president's economic-recovery package to legislative efforts to overhaul the health-care system. And amid a wave of voter anger at Democrats, Republicans believe they are poised to make big gains in November.

View Full Image

Associated Press

House Minority Leader John Boehner, left, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, center, and Rep. Mike Pence listen to the president.

Privately, Republicans welcomed the exchanges, many of which turned on policy nitty-gritty. The meeting elevated members of the House minority to Mr. Obama's footing and neutralized the Democratic line that the GOP is "the party of 'No,' " said one Republican strategist.

After the session, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio was restrained in his criticism of the president, saying, "I'm not going to exacerbate the problem." In welcoming the president, Mr. Boehner said Republicans want to work with the White House.

"We also need to listen to each other," he said. Mr. Obama agreed, saying, "I am ready and eager to work with anyone."

Mr. Obama defended his economic-stimulus package, which remains unpopular among Republicans. Asked if he would support an across-the-board tax cut, the president said he would "look at what you guys are proposing" but "may not agree to a cut for Warren Buffett."

Many Republicans say a tax cut would spur growth and revenue. Mr. Obama suggested it would cost revenue and drive up the deficit. "I'm going to want to take a look at your math, and see how that works," he said.

Write to Greg Hitt at greg.hitt@wsj.com