Obama: Bipartisanship Is Still Possible
The president said he would continue reaching out despite his relative lack of success in bringing both parties together over the stimulus bill.
"You know, putting three Republicans in my Cabinet, something that is unprecedented, making sure that they were invited here to the White House to talk about the economic recovery plan, all those were not designed simply to get some short-term votes," he said.
"They were designed to try to build up some trust over time. And I think that as I continue to make these overtures, over time, hopefully, that will be reciprocated."
Video: The president said that in the short term, however, the stimulus bill must get passed – regardless of issues regarging reaching across the aisle.
"I can't afford to see Congress play the usual political games," he said. "What we have to do right now is deliver for the American people."
He added that "that doesn't negate the continuing efforts that I'm going to make," vowing to "listen and engage with my Republican colleagues."
"Hopefully, the tone that I've taken, which has been consistently civil and respectful, will pay some dividends over the long-term," he said.