"Obama, Republicans clash in unusual session" - Patriot Update

"Obama, Republicans clash in unusual session" - Patriot Update: "BALTIMORE (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday engaged in a rare face-to-face showdown with Republican critics and testily accused them of trying to block his policies while urging them to 'join with me' in creating jobs.

Barack Obama

The contentious 82-minute session showed the depth of the political divide that separates Democrats who control the U.S. Congress and Republicans who feel their ideas on the economy and healthcare are ignored.

That Obama agreed to not only address his opponents but take their questions live on cable television was a sign of how he is trying to dig out of his deepest political rut since taking office a year ago.

Facing his Republican critics two days after a State of the Union speech aimed at reconnecting with the public, Obama sought to counter his rivals' attempt to paint him as a big-spending liberal who only wants to expand government.

He accused Republicans of portraying his now-stalled healthcare reform effort as a 'Bolshevik plot' and telling their constituents he is 'doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America.'

'I am not an ideologue,' Obama insisted to his audience, prompting some murmuring of disagreement in the crowd. 'I'm not.'

Assailing Republicans for trying to obstruct him on everything from economic stimulus to healthcare, Obama suggested their political motive was to score points with voters in the November congressional elections.

'These are serious times and what's required of all of us is to do what's right for our country, even if it's not best for our politics,' Obama said.

STATEMENTS OF BELIEFS"