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Republican Leaders, Holding Cards, Ask for Delay in Meeting With Obama

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The high-profile White House meeting Thursday night between President Obama and the newly empowered Republican leadership isn't going to happen. Rep. John Boehner, the House speaker in waiting, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell asked for a continuance -- which was granted.

The White House said the get-together -- ostensibly planned to talk about the current lame duck congressional session and beyond -- has been moved to the week after Thanksgiving . "At the request of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner, due to scheduling conflicts in organizing their caucuses, the president's meeting with bipartisan leaders will now take place on Tuesday, Nov. 30," the White House said Tuesday night.

John Boehner, Mitch McConnellA spokesman for McConnell said Republican lawmakers still want to discuss spending restraints, job growth and trade and energy policy with the president.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs put a positive spin on the broken date, saying the quick rescheduling was a sign of bipartisanship. "We all agreed to move the meeting -- this is a good thing," Gibb said. "We're flexible..."

But Politico saw deeper meaning in the nearly two-week delay in the session. Its report said GOP leaders have a lingering distrust of Obama dating back to a gathering in Baltimore last January when the president upstaged them at their own event -- appearing to lecture the lawmakers in a speech that the White House succeeded in getting televised. "He has a ways to go to rebuild the trust," a top Republican congressional staffer told Politico. "The Baltimore thing was unbelievable."

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clifford drexler

Long over due that all elected officials abolish all ,federal employees health benefits,retirement for them selfs, hires and appointee's. That is correct perks, etc.. Appropriate that money turn it over to the Veterans Administration. Yes, increase the benefits for those lost in combat. Inprove the care for those with illines and injuries. That is correct benefits for those who sacrefice the most for elected officials freedom and ours. ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE TO DO THE PEOPLES BUSINESS They answere to the voters and the citizens. They should not live off the public dole. Salary and office expences only. All present former and past retires,removed from any health insurance and benfits. None of them are employees hired by any federal agency.THE DAY THEY LEAVE OFFICE TAKE ONLY PERSONAL EFFECTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Just so they may undestand it starts with our president all elected, appointed and hired down to office staff etc.. So many years have passed money lost even misappropriated. Our service people suffer long after they serve, help them now. End your perks, this will not even incease the budget for the veterans Do what is correct and proper today, so many who never complain help them now.

November 23 2010 at 6:10 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Thomas

John Boehner and Leader Mitch McConnell are waiting to hear what Sara Palin wants them to do...

November 17 2010 at 2:59 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
Jembenz

This headline is wrong.Republican leaders holding the Cards? What cards? The republicans will control the House. The Senate and White House are still controlled by Democrats last I read. And I foresee gridlock in the House with the old line Republicans. The tea party people and the Democrats. Each group having their own agenda. GGGGGGRRRRRRIIIIIIDDDDDLLLLOOOOCCCCKKKK is coming .

November 17 2010 at 2:37 PM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
tistolaugh

Uh, they did not 'ask' for a delay, they said they did not have time to meet with Obama right now. At least report it the way it happened.

November 17 2010 at 11:48 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
dwuzze

It sure would be embarassing to walk over to the White House after all this time and surprise, surprise!! Those couple of "plans" they been bragging and waving about are just blank sheets of paper. JOHN: "Mitch, whats yours say? My plan is a blank sheet!" MITCH: "Uhhh, Uhhhh .. he,he John, my plans is blank too! ..... uhhhh, uhhhh hey mister President ....uhhhh ... how'd ya like georgies plan? ...Uhhh"

November 17 2010 at 11:05 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to dwuzze's comment
Scott

Exactly. They've got nothing just like we've been saying!

November 17 2010 at 11:42 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply

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