President Obama's open discussion with House Republicans, January 29, 2010

In a word, this was fabulous! President Obama was invited to this discussion by the Republican House members which is very much to their credit. I’m very glad he accepted and even more glad that everyone present was civil and respectful. (Clearly the Republicans had learned from Joe Wilson’s ridiculous and juvenile outburst at the president's speech on health care to the joint session of Congress last September.)

In addition to the civility of the entire discussion, what particularly struck me was how well prepared President Obama was with some of their proposals. He had read many of the copies he had been given in advance so was able to talk about some of the specifics of their plans and how they might be incorporated into his own proposals.

Furthermore, not only did President Obama attempt to answer all the questions thoroughly and with care, but he also respectfully contested a couple of the questions when he thought they were either incomplete or plainly false.

President Obama did a splendid job with this discussion and it only confirms what I have always thought since he took office: that the United States has one of the best presidents at present that it has had in its entire history. 


http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/01/29/president-holds-open-discussion-across-aisle