Obama Courts GOP Moderates, but Quietly

President Obama would love to have a few Republicans in his corner on health care, but he’s keeping courting efforts low-key, Politico reports. Last week, chief of staff Rahm Emanuel invited a dozen moderate House Republicans to a casual White House meeting, and the president stopped by to chat. “They’re making an honest and overt effort to deal with Republicans,” said Delaware Rep. Mike Castle.

The cross-aisle outreach is also good for Republicans, trying to lose their negative image and show an interest in working with Obama. “I’m a big believer that more communication would help us bridge the gap,” said House Minority Leader John Boehner. But Obama says his efforts are nothing new. “I’ve had them over to the White House more than they were over in the White House during the Bush administration.” (More President Obama stories.)