President Obama is breaking bread—and slicing steak—with Republicans.
The commander in chief on Wednesday night hosted a nearly three-hour dinner at the White House with 12 Republican senators to talk about reducing the nation’s deficit, reforming the country’s immigration system and reducing gun violence.
The dinner was organized by Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson at Obama’s request.
The meal came the same day Obama revealed his $3.8 trillion budget for 2014. Despite the spending plan including social safety net changes aimed at satisfying the GOP, it has been criticized by those in the party and some Democrats as well.
“It’s not a serious plan, for the most part just another left-wing wish list,” said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
Isakson, in a statement, called the dinner with Obama “very productive.” He added “I commend the president for reaching out to us, as it is critically important that we communicate directly in order to find common ground. It’s the only way that we can find solutions that are right for America…I hope we can continue the conversation from tonight.”
On Thursday, msnbc’s Chris Cillizza — guest host for Andrea Mitchell Reports — noted some on the right are saying the dinner is “too little, too late,” arguing Obama spent 2012 “demonizing” the Republican point of view. Isakson dismissed the criticism.
“I think [Obama is] hoping he can find a way to have a dialogue that can get us to some point in time where we can make some agreement on some of these big problems. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. So I think it’s a sincere effort,” Isacson told Cillizza.









