Boehner to Obama: "Work with us"

(CBS News) 

In the days after Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot, there was a new sense of unity in Congress. In last year's State of the Union address, some Democrats and Republicans broke with tradition and sat side by side instead of across the aisle. But that unity did not last long and Congress couldn't get much done last year. Will this year be any different? "CBS Evening News" anchor Scott Pelley sat down with Speaker Boehner earlier Tuesday. A transcript follows.

Pelley: You know how frustrated many Americans are across the country at what's perceived to be a lack of progress in Washington. Calibrate for me, how would you characterize the gulf between the White House and the House of Representatives right now?

Boehner: Well, you know, the big problem is this: The president's policies have failed. And I'm afraid, based on everything that I'm hearing about tonight's speech, that he's gonna offer more of the same: higher taxes, more spending, more regulation. These policies have not only not helped the economy-- I'd argue they've made it worse.

And so we have big ideological differences. But having said that, the American people expect us to find common ground. To do that, we've reached out to the president: "Work with us."

Pelley: The president might say, "I'm trying to work with you, but Mr. Speaker you don't have control of your entire party, that there are factions in your party who won't go along."

Boehner: Every time the president and I have been able to come to an agreement, we've not had any problems passing that agreement here in the House of Representatives. But Scott, I think it's important to note that the president checked out last Labor Day. He spent the last four months doing nothing but campaigning. He hasn't been engaged in the process. And if the president wants us to work together, it takes two to tango. The president needs to be engaged as well.

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Pelley: But so much of what the president wants to do in terms of tax policy involves higher taxes on some Americans. Can you compromise on that?

Boehner: I don't believe that raising taxes on the American people in this troubled economy will do anything but make the current situation worse.

Pelley: You can't reform the tax code in an election year.

Boehner: Oh, I don't know about that.

Pelley: Do you think you might?

Boehner: I believe it's important to the country. It would make America more competitive, it would help create jobs in our country. There's no reason we shouldn't try.

Pelley: And your message to the president going forward now is what?

Boehner: Just extend somewhat of an olive branch. Let's find some common ground to work together.

Pelley: You're open for business?

Boehner: Always.

Both Speaker Boehner and President Obama seem confident that they will get an agreement on extending the payroll tax cut and extending long-term unemployment benefits for another year. Both are due to expire next month.

[hayseedbears]

Boehner is the poster child for all that is rotton in the Republican party. It is his party and their strangle hold on Congress that has kept any meaningful communication from happening. Anyone who has heard his smart aleck remarks about the common man and his challenges during this difficult economic times knows how little he cares about us.
As for the Republican party in general -- if their biggest drive is finding a suitable candidate to beat Obama in the upcoming election, then they really are unsuitable to lead this country. Their concern should be to find the most suitable candidate to run the country.

[skyk801]

UNBELIEVABLE! After THREE LONG years of OBSTRUCTION.. after THREE LONG years of NOTHING but making SURE that One Term was all this President had, SUDDENLY they want the President to work WITH them? AMAZING! These people should be thrown out of office and I mean like RIGHT NOW! IF they have a "R" before their name they should be voted OUT!

[noloyalisti]

Obama has been trying to work with these fool, obsolete Republicons for 3 years. Where has the bonehead Boner been? Meeting with his Top 1% corporate masters?

[unclebernies]

Bohner knows that Eric Cancer and the tea baggers are calling the shots.

[OldProfessor]

Boenher and McConnell declared early on that their prime objective was to defeat Obama. Their actions since then have shown that defeat of Obama is JOB ONE. Jobs for Americans are on the back burner.

Obama until recently has had to attempt bipartisanship because of campaign promise. Now that we are into a new campaign cycle, the field is level. Just now, the Republican candidates are in a political war...with Obama waiting in the wings. Boehner has missed his opportunity to make an agreement with Obama.

[baileyccc]

Boehner is a big part of the problem. He needs to worry about where he will be working next year cause he ain't getting re-elected.

[bantamei]

Repugs want Obama to work with them but they don't want to work with Obama. As usual it will be the rpugs way or no way.

[MacDerb]

Sick in the Mind They Are...
They are both sick - Obama administration and Congress.

They keep a majority of us in extreme suffering. Why do you all keep electing these slick sleazes into office that consequently fail everyone?

They are no different than the old 1950's Vegas organized crime slime balls that wheeled and dealed on the streets.

Congress is a bunch of low life losers, failures that rob us daily to the last penny.

Prove to me that any of them have accomplished substantive work over the last year where most Americans will benefit from.

(I do not know filmmaker Oliver Stone, but he made a statement during an interview one day that America is "sick". He's right.)

[skyk801]

MacDerb, the PRESIDENT did NOTHING to bring on this Party of misfits and Bigots.. if you are going to place Blame put it where it belongs. To do otherwise makes you what you are.. a partisan who can muster NO defense for what has happened. For THREE Years we've all watched as this President has bent over backward trying to get the Republiklans to work with him...

[speakthetrut]

Boehner said, "based on everything that I'm hearing about tonight's speech, that he's gonna offer more of the same: higher taxes, more spending, more regulation."

Hey Boehner, when did Obama raise tax? When? Tell me, you liar.

[just-hope]

If he wants to work with the president, he can call Obama or Biden any time. How far is Boehner from the White House? Can he call? Can he drive?