Obama Says 'Put the Politics Aside' After Election, But Raps GOP Leaders

President Obama said Americans want partisans on both sides to "put politics aside for a while" after the Nov. 2 elections and find "common ground" on measures that will help fix the economy. Yet, in his weekly address Saturday, he said he was troubled by recent comments from Republican leaders anticipating more power in Congress in 2011.

"Whatever the outcome on Tuesday," the president said, "we need to come together to help put people who are still looking for jobs back to work." But in appealing for unity, Obama said he was bothered by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's comment that "his main goal after this election is simply to win the next one," and House Minority Leader John Boehner declaring, "this is not the time for compromise." Boehner, after the remark cited by Obama, elaborated: "We will not compromise on our principles."

Obama allowed for "heated rhetoric" in the closing days of a campaign that polls indicate may well wind up with a Republican take over of the U.S. House and GOP gains in the Senate. But Obama said "when the ballots are cast and the voting is done, we need to put this kind of partisanship aside -- win, lose or draw." The president wants action on legislation providing tax deferments for businesses that buy new equipment next year, and also the expansion of a tax credit for research and experimentation with new products and technologies.

"It may not always be easy to find agreement;" he said, "at times we'll have legitimate philosophical differences. And it may not always be the best politics. But it is the right thing to do for our country."

Boehner (R-Ohio), delivering the Republican response, said Obama failed to deliver on the change he promised two years ago. If Republicans win a majority on Tuesday, he said they will cut spending and hold taxes at current levels. "This is a new way forward that hasn't been tried in Washington yet," he said.

Watch the video of the president's address below.