This article is too much!
April 25, 2005
WASHINGTON — The president invited the small group of Republican congressmen to his living room on the second floor of the White House — not the formal offices he usually presides over — to talk about Social Security. While his guests sipped soda and munched peanuts, he did something even more remarkable.
He listened to them. He took criticism from them. For the better part of an hour, President Bush — who has been accused of taking a "my way or the highway" approach to Congress — was all ears.
"He didn't cut anybody off," said Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-N.Y.). "He didn't try to debate us. Sometimes he's more argumentative."
snip...
In a 2001 budget meeting still fresh in congressional memories, Bush antagonized a bipartisan group of senior members who were seeking additional funding for domestic security. Bush bluntly threatened a veto and, rather than respond to lawmakers' arguments, abruptly left the meeting.
"I was flabbergasted and amazed," said Rep. David R. Obey (D-Wis.). "We expected it was going to be a working meeting instead of a 'my way or the highway' meeting."
Republicans again saw an adamant, table-pounding Bush when he tried to persuade lawmakers in 2003 to support full funding for rebuilding Iraq. "I'm not here to debate you," Bush said at one meeting, interrupting one senator.
more...
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bushlobby25apr25,0,3869395,print.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
