Obama Engages GOP Senators: Could this be a Breakthrough?

     We don't want to put too fine a point on it but it seems  that we might have the makings of a breakthrough on the sequester or even a "grand bargain?" With all the talk of what the President has failed to do it sounds like there could be some real progress to be made.

     http://diaryofarepublicanhater.blogspot.com/2013/03/blaming-president-first-et-tu-dean-baker_5.html

     The President has made a point of reaching out the rank and file Senate Republicans-which makes sense as neither Mitch McConnell or Boehner over in the House has been willing to say anything other than "My way or the highway."

     The reviews are starting to come in and they are quite positive. These GOP senators are expressing gratitude for the President reaching out in this way-as one knock on Obama you always here is that he has failed to "reach out" to Republicans in Congress. I wonder then if this will get even the Bob Woodward seal of approval for the stellar exercise of leadership...

      President Obama is circumventing Republican leaders and reaching out directly to rank-and-file Senate GOP lawmakers in an early effort to build momentum for a grand bargain to avert sequestration and reduce the long-term deficit.

     “He wants to do the big deal,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

     "Graham told reporters Tuesday afternoon that Obama had just called him and the two spoke for 10 minutes about fiscal issues. He said the conversation was “incredibly encouraging.”

      “I’m very encouraged by what I see from the president in terms of what I see in terms of substance and tone,” Graham said. “He’s calling people — this is how you solve our problems. He’s working the phones, talking about … how can we get more people in the mix.”

      "Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said Obama called her on Tuesday and the two discussed budget and fiscal issues. She also came away cautiously encouraged."

      “I think the important thing is, for the first time in a very long time, the president appears to be doing some outreach to both Republicans and Democrats, and that’s long overdue,” Collins told reporters on Wednesday.

      "Ordinarily the president would speak directly with leadership. But as the White House sees it, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have been unwilling to begin a discussion about averting the sequester in a balanced way. The two GOP leaders have repeatedly ruled out raising any new revenue. So Obama is searching for Republicans who are willing to engage."

      "As part of his outreach, Obama has invited a number of Republican senators to dinner on Wednesday night at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington. Those expected to attend, according to The Associated Press, are Sens. Graham, John McCain (AZ), Kelly Ayotte (NH), Roy Blunt (MO), Pat Toomey (PA), Rob Portman (OH), Bob Corker (TN) and Ron Johnson (WY)."

     "Graham said the broad consensus is that the deficit must be reduced by cutting long-term entitlement spending and extracting revenues by reforming the tax code to eliminate deductions."

    "I just think we know what to do. We know what the big deal should be made of,” he said. “Maybe because of sequestration, and frustration with the public, the time is right to act. And what I see from the president is probably the most encouraging engagement on a big issue I’ve seen since the early years of his presidency.”

     http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/03/obama-outreach-gop-senators-grand-bargain.php?ref=fpa

     Again, I don't want to jump the gun but Graham here is voicing support for Obama's framework-a mix of spending cuts and closing tax loopholes for the rich.

     If he is sincere this indeed is a big breakthrough as it suggests we may get a deal to end the sequester sooner rather than later which will circumvent McConnell-Boehner obstruction.

     In addition the President has now asked to meet with Senate and House Republicans next week. The Senate GOP has already set it up:

      President Obama has asked to meet with the entire House and Senate Republican coalitions next week, CNN reported Wednesday. 

     "On the Senate side, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that the president will attend the weekly GOP lunch meeting next Tuesday.

"Senate Republicans welcome the President to the Capitol," McConnell said in a statement. "And I appreciate he took my recommendation to hear from all of my members."

       "On the House side, a meeting is being worked out. 

Mike Sommers, chief of staff to House Speaker John Boehner, said his office had received Obama's request to meet with the House GOP conference next week, and was "currently working to schedule that meeting.

      http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-asked-to-meet-with-senate-house-republicans

     http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-asked-to-meet-with-senate-house-republicans