Barack Obama's First 100 Days

Day 8
Jan. 27, 2009

Presidents don't make the trek up Pennsylvania Avenue to Capitol Hill often, so Obama's visit there just eight days into office — to meet with House and Senate Republicans no less — is intended to show how important bipartisan support for this stimulus package is to him. Still, reports coming out of the closed-door meeting suggest that the session ended with little promise of compromise on the core issue of how to foster economic growth. Obama also reportedly stands firm on the part of his some $800 billion stimulus plan that calls for tax rebates for nearly all working Americans, including some, much to the dismay of Republicans, who make too little to owe income taxes.

Obama's press secretary hails the meeting as successful, but the President recognizes in remarks to the press afterward that "there are some legitimate philosophical differences" between Democrats and Republicans on how to fix the economy, and while he doesn't expect 100% agreement, he hopes that "we can put politics aside."

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