Republican Leaders Say Thanks to the President, No Thanks to Dem Leadership

President Obama shakes hands with Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), as House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (VA) looks on at the GOP House Issues Conference in Baltimore. (AP Photo)

Following a question and answer session with President Barack Obama that had more than a few feisty moments, House Republican leadership thanked to the President for his appearance, and were optimistic that spirit would trickle down to the House of Representatives. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor praised the event, “The discussion you witnessed was a first… we hope (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi and (House Majority Leader Steny) Hoyer will follow the president’s lead.”

The meeting also gave the party a chance to show that it has moved beyond being the “Party of No.” “We welcome dialogue with the president and we especially welcome the acknowledgement that this business about the party of no ideas can hopefully be banished once and for all,” declared Mike Pence.

While the Republicans lauded President Obama for reaching out, House Minority Leader John Boehner was quick to point out that House Democrats hadn’t been so nice, “They don’t have to work with us… when you go through an entire year without one open rule you really have to, I think the Speaker and the Majority Leader have to assess how they’re running the House.”

Reaction from the rank and file was less glowing. When asked if the President answered his question on health care, Rep Tom Price of Georgia shot back, “No he didn’t. In fact I think he refused to answer my question.”