Obama faces off with fiercest critics: House Republicans

The president's appearance at an annual retreat for House Republicans was intended to be a gesture of bipartisanship. Instead, it devolved into a respectful but surprisingly blunt exercise in political finger-pointing, defensiveness and gamesmanship.

Obama repeatedly defended his policies and accused Republicans of distorting his positions for political gain. He was especially critical of the GOP's efforts to derail the healthcare overhaul bill in Congress.

"You'd think this was some Bolshevik plot," Obama said. "That's how some of you guys presented this."

And he argued that constant political attacks on his agenda had almost robbed the GOP of any opportunity to contribute.

"What happens is that you guys don't have a lot of room to negotiate with me," Obama said. "The fact of the matter is, many of you, if you voted with the administration on something, are politically vulnerable in your own base, in your own party . . . because what you've been telling your constituents is, 'This guy's doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.' "

The event was notable for its departure from the norms of the American political process, resembling more the British tradition of a leader taking fire from members of the opposition party -- and for the fact that it was broadcast nationally.

Like an audience does on a daytime talk show, the GOP members held microphones and questioned Obama. The president answered from behind a podium, his image displayed on large TV screens. The exchange went for 90 minutes -- longer than scheduled.


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