Free Republic

President Obama sought Wednesday to reassure Democrats nervous about the impact of his health care law and the prospects for immigration legislation, telling them "You're on the right side of history." In the first of two closed-door meetings on Capitol Hill, Obama focused on financial gains as the economy emerges from the worst downturn since the Depression. He was warned about nominating former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers as chairman of the Federal Reserve and faced questions about his health care law. Some lawmakers complained that three years after its passage, the law still baffles many Americans. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo.,...

Sen. John McCain — a Democrat? There was confusion Wednesday after the Arizona Republican mistakenly strolled into President Obama’s meeting with Senate Democrats at the Capitol. The room full of Democrats — who happened to be meeting in the same room where the Senate GOP usually holds their weekly policy luncheons — erupted in applause and laughter as the former Republican presidential candidate made his entrance. As McCain, 76, walked out of the Dem-filled space, reporters pressed him as to why he stepped foot in the room. Saying he “had to give a speech,” McCain was eyed walking away sporting...

Pelosi: Obama jobs plan presentation to House Dems ‘masterful’ By Russell Berman - 07/31/13 12:39 PM ET Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) described President Obama’s presentation of his jobs plan to Democrats as “masterful.” She also said Wednesday’s powwow between Obama and her caucus was a “very enthusiastic meeting.” “I saluted the president as the persistent president," Pelosi said. During the meeting, Obama lashed out at criticism of former economic adviser Larry Summers, a possible successor to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. House Democrats also have raised concerns about the implementation of the 2010 healthcare law. Members said the topic...

CNN's Dana Bash reports via Twitter that Barack Obama was incredibly arrogant in a private meeting on Capitol Hill with Congressional Democrats today:apparently POTUS got hot with dem ed perlmutter for asking about karry summers (sic) for fed chief. POTUS went off about wash game & "huff post"ALso told POTUS was snarky w/ member asking about jobs in his district. Dem told me "he cant get thru a meeting of dems w/out chastising us"Dem source tells me POTUS was "rude and dismissive" to freshman dem maloney who asked about a loan guarantee program/jobs for ny district