Obama To Host White House "Happy Hour" For Lawmakers Voting On Stimulus Bill

According to The NY Post, President Obama is greasing the voting process a bit with some libations at the White House for lawmakers who are considering his stimulus bill.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has invited Republican and Democratic lawmakers for drinks at the White House as they consider his economic recovery bill that still faces opposition.

White House aides say about two dozen key members of Congress were invited to the Executive Mansion Wednesday evening. The guest list includes six House Democrats, six House Republicans and five senators from each party.

The New York Times has more about the gathering:

One day after President Obama visited Capitol Hill, he is returning the favor by being host to about two dozen Democrats and Republicans on his turf. The event, scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., is the first-of-a-kind gathering in the new administration and the latest sign that Mr. Obama is attempting to build relationships with Congress.

The bipartisan affair is set to come shortly after the House considers the president's economic stimulus bill. The roll call vote could make for some interesting conversation, particularly if the bulk of Republicans oppose the proposal as planned.

The reception will take place in the Red, Blue and Green rooms of the executive mansion.

Earlier in the day, the President expressed confidence that the bill would pass.

Looking beyond expected House approval of an $816 billion economic stimulus plan, President Barack Obama said Wednesday the nation is at a "perilous moment" requiring swift and decisive action...

During his talk and in the earlier Roosevelt Room session with business CEOs, Obama said the people running the companies that are the engine of the American economy are behind him. Asked at one point if he was confident of getting Republican support, he replied only: "I'm confident we're going to get it passed."

Comments

[rwt1138]

02:05 PM on 01/30/2009

Good idea. Get them drunk and take advantage of them.

[SammyGone]

10:28 AM on 01/30/2009

Finally a White House filled with laughter and free cocktails. Its Party Time!!!! Three cheers for Obama. When in doubt, have a party.

[Matt Shaw]

02:49 PM on 01/29/2009

What are we suggesting, here? That Obama is getting the GOP all liquored up so they'll vote for his stimulus package? What utter nonsense -- how this story could be framed in such an asinine was is so far beyond me as to make me think we're speaking different languages.

Really? Are you serious, Ms. Zaleski?

http://alereport.blogspot.com

[janinius]

11:54 AM on 01/29/2009

dear gop. you lost. and obama's good will is not everlasting. he worked with you , gave concessions to your agenda and yet you voted against the stimulus package. really?

[IAM4CLINTON]

09:26 AM on 01/29/2009

President Obama is just wasting his time trying to woo the GOP. Obama won the election and they did not. Pres Obama should seize the mandate that we gave him and instead of wooing the GOP, spend the time in controlling his own fringe left elements in the Democratic party--and go full speed with his agenda

[PostRacialBlackGirl]

11:37 AM on 01/29/2009

Your name says it all. Dear Clinton supporters, you must learn to Trust the Man. I know, here in this culture we are not taught to trust anything or anyone, not even ourselves, let alone a MAN!

But let me tell you, it is time to learn to Trust The Man. He is America's first Zen leader. He is not going to approach this in the same old, childish, played out, ignorant, Southern Baptist, fake religious, people hating way. He is not like that. Unity is more important than any agenda, left or right...

I am so sorry that your man - I mean woman - did not win. But at this point it is time to learn to trust the man! Let's start with trusting the American people who chose him for good reason. Trust is important...yes? http://hakashamut.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/trust-the-man/

Blessings to you!

[ENOS]

12:14 PM on 01/29/2009

I agree with Post Racial Black Girl...

There is a method to his attempts. It will be a bumpy ride. One that we should learn to endure if we support our President.

[hortonhearsawho2]

08:39 AM on 01/29/2009

Repubs walked in and asked where the private rooms are and when the Pages Wood arrives...

[carnelld]

07:49 AM on 01/29/2009

Obama is getting bad advice. He is the President and should lead with determined conviction. All the talk about the need for bi-partanship is nothing but a distraction. He is helping the Republicans make the Stmulus Bill appear bad.

If he is concerned about how he will look one week into his administration, he will be a weak President .

Bush was the worst President I can remember. He took a surplus and turned it into a deficit with tax cuts and that stupid Iraq war. He ignored the needs of the American people and the country's infra-structure. At the same time, Bush poured nearly a trillion dollars in the deserts of Iraq.

Obama won the election based on his statements during the campaign. He should stand up and lead and stop meandering for Republican support. They will not support Obama because to do so would acknowledge their political philosophy is wrong.

By signaling his desire for Republican support, Obama is dis-avowing his election victory. He should stand up and lead.

Although almost everything Bush did was wrong, he was a decisive leader.

[LoveAlaska]

08:21 AM on 01/29/2009

I have to disagree. Did you ever fish? When you want to catch a big fish, you let the bait and line run out a bit before you reel it in. I think Obama is going about this the right way. Yes, he always knew there would be compromise but he also knows that if you give a fish, [especially the one with spray tan and lust for tv coverage] enough line, they will get hooked and hauled in. The republicans are strangling themselves. Americans are losing their job on a daily basis but one thing they won't lose is their way to the voting booth.

[LoveAlaska]

08:22 AM on 01/29/2009

To continue, he is giving them enough rope to hang themselves.

[StopGlobalWarmingBeVegan]

05:52 AM on 01/29/2009

That's doesn't have alcohol, it's his blackberry tea in a glass cup.

[PippiLongstocking]

01:37 AM on 01/29/2009

Damn, he looks sexy drinking. *licks lips*

[hortonhearsawho2]

08:40 AM on 01/29/2009

next thing u know it will be pippi loses stockings....:)

[One more Thing]

12:00 AM on 01/29/2009

Next time maybe a little basket ball pick up game?

[jazzycafe]

11:16 PM on 01/28/2009

Is it possible that Dick Armey came over to the Harball set, straight from cocktails at the white house?

He was just so loose with the insults, maybe a couple of drinks helped spur him along there in the idiot department. Or, maybe he was completely sober and he's just that idiotic.

[Eris23Skidoo]

02:22 AM on 01/29/2009

He really is just that idiotic.

[dessertsfirst]

10:52 PM on 01/28/2009

I think it's just great... that the White House is being opened up for parties... I wonder when was the last time that happened.

[ignorantwillyharper]

11:55 AM on 01/29/2009

During the Reagan administration.

[brighterlight]

10:40 PM on 01/28/2009

Obama has the support of the entire nation and the world. He, single-handedly, is responsible for ridding our country of the devisive, ugly tone that Bush and Rove brought to the America, let alone all the crimes they and their cronies committed. The world has changed because of Obama. But the ReThuglicans can't believe they are not in power any longer and will do anything and everything to knock Obama and any Democrat down. They have no values, no morals, and no scruples (sp?) They have not changed since December 31, 2008. They will not change; we must remember the last 8 years.

[island-in-alabama]

11:44 PM on 01/28/2009

The Republican party hasn't changed in decades.

This is the party of McCarthy, Nixon, Reagan and both Bushes.

The common thread thru them all is distain for the American people and their Constitution.

[trendier]

09:53 PM on 01/28/2009

Obama needs to drink cause he's too uptight. I can't believe he made Joe Biden apologized for the joke he said about Robert. Come on, let's have some sense of humor.

[marthlois]

10:33 PM on 01/28/2009

Joe Biden is not a yes man. Joe is a good man. If he apologized, it's because he wanted to apologize. Is this the best you can come up with????? Thought so.

[erykah]

11:58 PM on 01/28/2009

I agree. But Joe should have apologize. That is not being uptight. That is being a statesman.

[Madusa]

09:48 PM on 01/28/2009

. . . so much for the brilliant idea that he's a closet M u s l i m. (Of course the dog hunt should have been a clue . . . ).

[Buddy McCue]

04:03 AM on 01/29/2009

I thought the closet M u s l i m myth was exploded when he was seen to be eating Spam in Hawaii...