This is from not-for-attribution interviews with two Republican senators who attended the dinner with the president on Wednesday night at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington.
One was heartened and impressed by the meeting while retaining his skepticism as to whether it might open the way to pronounced progress in pursuit of a so-called grand bargain.
The other was more optimistic and left the meeting moved. …Peggy Noonan, WSJ
It’s really tempting fantasize two Republicans actually moving. And anyway, they’d never be far enough away for me. Still, I suppose any movement on that side is to be welcomed.
The Republicans fear that members of the Senate from both parties will not be able to come to serious agreement unless the president is actively involved and puts the prestige of his office behind it.
Senator No. 1: When pressed on the question, the president seemed to step back. “His idea of a process is, ‘You guys figure it out and work with my staff, and if you need me call me.’ But in the end, unless the president really gets engaged and forces meeting after meeting, I don’t see how you get past the logjam.” …Noonan, WSJ
They’re looking for an LBJ — who would have murdered them in their sleep by now. They’ve got President Obama, someone towards whom they’ve behaved so appallingly for so long that they have no right to expect anything. Even so, as they admitted, they found a gracious Barack Obama still willing to deal with them.
“There was nothing like it. There were at least three senators there who I could tell got a little emotional—there was something about the meeting where it was with such sincerity. Nobody held back.” …Noonan, WSJ
Chicago politics? Two pairs of cement shoes in the making?