White House Courts Congressional Heads of Committees

Full court charm offensive ahoy!!

With a difficult budget to sell on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks, the White House is making nice with the folks who will have a lot to say about the outcome – the Democratic chairmen and chairwomen of all the Congressional committees as well as the ranking Republicans on the panels.

Officials say the White House has scheduled a “Chairman’s Dinner” for this Wednesday, inviting the top members of the dozens of committees down for some face time and informal conversation about the imposing agenda ahead.

The gathering is just another example of how the Obama administration is being extremely aggressive about using social events and access to the White House as a powerful tool to win over lawmakers, who are notoriously susceptible to flattery and like nothing more than to be wooed, particularly by a popular new president. And it is a safe bet that some of these lawmakers made very infrequent visits to the White House during the Bush years.

From the Dep't. of Irony: Obama toasts bipartisanship

By GottaLaff

Based on this, I'm not sure how President Obama can be so magnanimous, but then again, that's why we like him so much. From what I've been hearing, he's still hoping to cultivate some sort of relationship with the righties. That way they can stonewall the Dems with a more positive demeanor the next time around.

For the record, responding to the Republican obstructionism today, Paul Begala just asked, on Larry King Live, "Did they not know we had an election, or did they not know there was a recession?" Maybe they'll answer that question at the Big Bipartisan Do:

Even if they disagreed on the stimulus bill, President Obama and a dozen bipartisan members of Congress can agree on the post-vote agenda: the group will raise their glasses at the first cocktail party in the new president’s White House on Wednesday night.

I posted about this earlier. Now we have the guest list. This should be a barrel of fun:

On the Democratic side, invites have been extended to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, Washington Sen. Patty Murray, West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd and New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer are also reportedly invited.

The list of Republicans invited includes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Nevada Sen. John Ensign. House Minority Leader John Boehner and Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor are also reportedly invited.

I wonder if Dick Armey will jump out of a cake.

Drinks at Obama's place

By GottaLaff

Hic!

President Obama will host a cocktail reception for Congressional leaders tonight at the White House, the New York Times reports.

"The bipartisan affair is set to come shortly after the House considers the president's economic stimulus bill. The roll call vote could make for some interesting conversation, particularly if the bulk of Republicans oppose the proposal as planned."

Can't wait for reports on The Boehner drinking himself into a drunk-call-worthy stupor and getting all weepy as he tries to toast himself while stumbling over vintage White House furniture.