Obama calls Boehner to offer congratulations

[jefferson_dem]

Obama calls Boehner to offer congratulations

President promises to try to find 'common ground' with GOP Advertisement | ad info
Pete Souza / AP


In this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama makes an election night phone call to Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, who will most likely be the next House Speaker, from the Treaty Room in the White House residence, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, in Washington. (AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)

By LAURIE KELLMAN

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama called Republican leaders early Wednesday to congratulate them on their midterm election victories and to promise to try to find "common ground" with them after a bruising campaign season.

The White House and incoming House Speaker John Boehner said the president called the Ohio Republican to offer congratulations on the GOP's regaining control of the House. Boehner said he promised to be honest with Obama and the two agreed to work together, even though Republicans campaigned on vows to turn back much of Obama's agenda.

During what Boehner described as a brief but pleasant midnight conversation, the two discussed working together on the electorate's priorities. Boehner said he defined those as cutting spending and creating jobs.

"'That's what they expect,'" Boehner's statement quoted Obama as saying.

A White House statement said the president also called Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who will remain in the minority but lead a strengthened GOP caucus.

In his calls to the Republicans, the president said he was looking forward to working with them to "find common ground, move the country forward and get things done for the American people."

Vote: What does election mean for Obama's re-election?
Current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and current House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., also received calls from Obama.

Earlier in the evening, Boehner and other Republicans said they were eager to work with Obama — on their terms. Republicans have said they want to cut $100 billion in spending in the first year and try to roll back Obama's overhauls of health care and financial regulations

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39981538/ns/politics-decision_2010/?ocid=twitter

[jillan]

1. Obama - he must be ready to scream. And to be a fly on the wall at Biden's house tonite.

[denimgirly]

2. Boehner: "No Compromises" -- Here's Hoping Obama will not Buckle

Obama has said he is open to negotiate STILL and so its clear Boehner has no reasons to neogotiate compromises since we've seen Obama is willing to give in to the right. I am just hoping Obama does wield the veto pen more than 50% of the time...right now my fear is he will allow repubs to get at least 60% of their bills....well, i am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping OBama gets tough this time around....it appears now he really is our last hope. Man, i wish FDR was still around.

[onager]

3. Darrell Issa is already talking about impeachment hearings.

Boner and Bitch McConnell are already on record with the GOP's top priority - making sure Obama is a one-termer.

We don't need to find common ground with these medievalist fascist assholes. We need some people who will walk up to Boner, smile pleasantly, punch him in the face, then kick him in the teeth while he's down.

And I NEVER want to hear any Dem apologizing to one of these scumbags again. You might as well apologize to a mad dog.

Yes, I'm in a cranky mood.