Pres. Obama extends olive branch to Republicans

U.S. President Barack Obama extended a hand of reconciliation amid the political impasse over the sequester. He toured the nation to blame the opposition Republican Party for the budget stalemate, but as this escalated criticism over increasing anxiety among Americans, he returned to Washington to resume negotiations.

The president invited 12 senior Republican congressmen, including several of his most vocal critics, to a dinner at the Jefferson Hotel near the White House Wednesday night. Among those invited were senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Tom Coburn and Ron Johnson. Arriving in Washington amid a snowstorm, the senators said they had constructive talks and expressed optimism that a “grand bargain” over the sequester would be possible. The White House also said after the dinner that the president exchanged "good ideas" with the lawmakers.

President Obama also plans to mend fences with the Republicans by attending a House Caucus luncheon Wednesday and a weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon the following day. He asked to attend the meetings through White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, and the GOP leadership “welcomed” it Wednesday.

The president is set to attend a GOP event for the third time in three years. Having been on negative terms with the Republicans since the passage of the health care reform bill in 2009, he had refused to talk with GOP congressmen, earning himself the nickname “lone wolf.” His standoff with the Republicans escalated after his reelection last year.

President Obama phoned each of the Republican senators before the dinner to ask them to come. He tried to bury the hatchet with Republican senators first before talking with the party’s congressmen, who are more adamantly opposed to him.

He shifted his position as the prolonged budget impasse took a toll on his approval rating. According to a Gallup survey, the chief executive`s approval rating fell from 53 percent in mid-February to 46 percent Sunday, when the sequester began.

To make matters worse, even Democrats criticized the Obama administration for exaggerating the aftermath of the sequester to pressure Republicans.

In addition, the president changed his position because at a time when several of the policies he is pursuing, such as gun control and immigration reform, cannot pass Congress without Republican cooperation, an uncompromising attitude will achieve nothing. Political experts say the Republican Party, which has been divided since its defeat in the presidential election, is likely to return to the negotiating table because it has nothing to gain if the standoff with the president continues.

President Obama’s olive branch has received positive reactions from the political circle. Senator Graham said it was time for the president and Congress to end the election year confrontation and switch to national governance, urging dialogue.

mickey@donga.com