"Obama defends GOP outreach, even if some think he's a 'sap'"

[KoKo]

Obama defends GOP outreach, even if some think he's a 'sap'
By Justin Sink - 04/24/13 10:08 PM ET


President Obama said Wednesday that he would continue reaching across the aisle to Republican lawmakers even if some of his donors "think I'm a sap."

Obama: Republican Outreach Will Continue Even If Democrats 'Think I'm A Sap'
By JOSH LEDERMAN 04/24/13
The president spoke Wednesday at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in Dallas, the fifth fundraiser he's held since being sworn in for a His second term earlier this year. Obama told the attendees, who paid between $10,000 and $32,400 to attend the dinner, that while he was proud of his first term, the country "still had work to do."

“Unfortunately, right now Washington is not – how do I put this charitably? It’s not as functional as it should be," Obama said. "It could do better.”

The president also pledged to continue his charm offensive with Republicans. Tuesday night, Obama hosted a gathering of the Senate's female members — including four Republicans — at the White House. In previous weeks, the president has dined on multiple occasions with groups of Republican lawmakers in an effort to find common ground on budget and policy issues.

“Occasionally I may make some of you angry because I’m going to reach out to Republicans, and I’m going to keep on doing it,” he said. “Even if some of you think I’m a sap, I’m going to keep on doing it because that’s what I think the country needs.”

The president added that he would still prefer that Democrats control Congress, saying that when his party can set the agenda, "we don't have a country where just a few are doing really well."

The president is in Dallas for the dedication of former President George W. Bush's presidential library on Thursday, and the fundraiser was held in a ritzy neighborhood just a mile away from the home of Obama's predecessor. Obama said he was "really looking forward" to the celebration, which will be attended by all the living former presidents.

"One of the things I will insist upon is whatever our political differences, President Bush loves this country and loves its people and shares that same concern, and was concerned about all people in America, not just those who voted Republican," Obama said. "I think that’s true about him and I think that’s true about most of us.”

The president was joined at the dinner by first lady Michelle Obama and top White House and Democratic officials, including advisers Valerie Jarrett and Dan Pfeiffer; Ron Kirk, the former Dallas mayor and former U.S. Trade Representative; and Henry Munoz III, the DNC's finance chair.

The event was held at the home of Naomi Aberly, a top bundler for both of Obama's presidential campaigns. According to campaign finance records, Aberly has also donated to Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). Aberly has also donated to causes including Planned Parenthood and EMILY's List, records show.

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[TheMastersNemesis]

1. Obama's Strategy Is Stupid And Non Productive- The Fact That He Is Willing To Sacrifice His Base

to court Republians who hate him with a passion betrays those supporters who elected him. It is like giving up your child for sacrifice to a lost cause. As long as there is one Republican left standing the US is going to go into the crapper. They are determined to win and inflict their hat and evil on the nation and we all will lose even Republicans.

His strategy makes him look weak and sappy. It should be obvious by now that the GOP will never cooperate unless it is all their agenda. They are laughing at him behind closed doors. And what he is doing compromises and hurts Democrats locally and nationally. That is because he makes proposals that help the GOP rhetorically and politically.

[zbdent]

2. You know, if I kept trying to shake someone's hand, and kept getting back a bloody stump ...

I'd stop shaking hands with that asshole ...

But Obama appeases the terrorists in the GOP anyway ...

[indepat]

3. The President knows something that few, if any, of his supporters know: his supporters think

you can't bargain in good faith with men of bad faith, but the President must know you can if you keep trying hard enough and always give men of bad faith and intentions at least 98% of what they want.

[KoKo]

6. yes..understand what you are saying. It's so misguided...but then..it is ..what it is..

[DJ13]

4. Not a sap

Just someone who appears to support Republican ideals more than he supports the ideals of his own party.

[duffyduff]

5. NO surprise...Birds of a feather...n/t

[Bonobo]

7. No, not a sap.

He is not a sap. He is doing what he wants to do -which makes him closer to a willing tool at best and a covert conservative at worst.

[grasswire]

8. I was very sad to see only one progressive POTUS on display today.

Jimmy Carter.

One out of five.

That's pretty sad.