OBAMA TO GOP: YOU HAVE TO START MEETING ME HALFWAY

"Simply opposing our approach on every front is probably not a good political strategy," Obama declared at Thursday night's prime time news conference. "I want them to realize that me reaching out to them has been genuine."
To his "Republican friends," Obama offered something of a rebuke for their conduct just 100 days into his administration. "I can't sort of define bipartisanship as simply being willing to accept certain theories of theirs that we tried for eight years and didn't work."
In particular, he laid the groundwork for compromise on what promises to be the next big partisan hurdle. "I've said this to people like [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell. I said, 'Look, on health care reform, you may not agree with me that I've -- we should have a public plan. That may be philosophically just too much for you to swallow. On the other hand, there are some areas like reducing the cost of medical malpractice insurance where you do agree with me. If I'm taking some of your ideas and giving you credit for good ideas, the fact that you didn't get 100 percent can't be a reason every single time to oppose my position." LinkHere

NO: House Passes Obama-Backed Budget With Zero GOP Votes

WASHINGTON — Congress has wrapped up work on a compromise $3.4 trillion budget outline aimed at helping advance President Barack Obama's ambitious agenda despite staggering government deficits.
The Senate's 53-43 vote to pass the measure followed House action earlier Wednesday.
The votes to adopt the nonbinding budget blueprint are only a first step toward Obama's goal of providing health care coverage for all Americans.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Democrats in Congress capped President Barack Obama's 100th day in office by advancing a $3.4 trillion federal budget for next year _ a third of it borrowed _ that prevents Republicans from blocking his proposed trillion-dollar expansion of U.S. government-provided health care over the next decade.
The 233-193 House vote to adopt the nonbinding budget blueprint is only a first step toward Obama's goal of providing health care coverage for all Americans. The budget plan sets the parameters for subsequent tax and spending bills expected to boost clean energy programs and student aid and extend many of President George W. Bush's tax cuts. LinkHere