President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance at the White House briefing Tuesday afternoon, after speaking with bipartisan Congressional leaders he had invited to the White House to discuss job creation, health care and the economy. At the meeting, the President reiterated his invitation last week for Republicans to join Democrats for a live, televised meeting on health care reform on February 25. (See, DM 11594.) The President has lately been working hard to counter Republican criticism of the Administration and Democratic actions on health care reform. (See, DM 11561.)

Was the storm inside as bad as the snowstorms paralyzing D.C.? Apparently not. In his press briefing, the President said the meeting went well, and those present had "a good and frank conversation."

The President stated at the press briefing that the group touched upon moving forward with health reform. "...as I told the congressional leadership, I'm looking forward to a constructive debate with plans that need to be measured against this test: Does it bring down costs for all Americans as well as for the federal government, which spends a huge amount on health care? Does it provide adequate protection against abuses by the insurance industry? Does it make coverage affordable and available to the tens of millions of working Americans who don't have it right now? And does it help us get on a path of fiscal sustainability?.... Now, bipartisanship depends on a willingness among both Democrats and Republicans to put aside matters of party for the good of the country. I won't hesitate to embrace a good idea from my friends in the minority party, but I also won't hesitate to condemn what I consider to be obstinacy that's rooted not in substantive disagreements but in political expedience."
The President fielded a question regarding House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), who had questioned having a conversation about legislation "that can't pass," and Boehner's opinion that the Administration and Democrats should start health care reform from scratch.

Obama responded saying he had told Boehner in the meeting that health care reform had to be a package, with core goals that must be met: controlling costs, curbing insurance abuses, and making health insurance available to those lacking coverage. The President said that Congress already had a "package" together, and that information will be available on the web as the differences between the Senate and House are worked out. He also said he was open to any suggestion from those in either party to accomplish these goals in an easier or less costly manner.

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