Obama, GOP Leaders, Exchange Ideas On Stimulus

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says he’s had a “wonderful exchange of ideas” with House Republicans about the stimulus plan he wants Congress to approve.

He met with GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday shortly after House GOP leaders tried to rally opposition to the stimulus measure backed by the White House.

After meeting with Republicans, and before heading to the Senate to meet with Republicans there, Obama said he’s still optimistic about the ability to get the package done. He says he knows there won’t be “100 percent support,” but that he’s going to “continue to welcome good ideas” from Republicans.

House Minority Leader John Boehner says Republicans look forward to continuing to work with Obama to improve the package. He and other Republican leaders say they believe Obama is ready to hear their ideas.

House GOP Whip Eric Cantor says the bill contains a lot of spending that “has no place” in a stimulus measure that should be focused on job creation.