President Obama paid a visit to the Senate Republican Conference today to have a direct give-and-take on current issues like immigration, the oil spill, and financial reform. Though Obama called the meeting “a good, frank discussion on a whole range of issues,” and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it was “a good exchange, a candid exchange,” some people were left more bitter than before. “The more he talked, the more he got upset,” said Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas. “He needs to take a Valium before he comes in and talks to Republicans and just calm down, and don’t take anything so seriously.”
Democrats dismissed complaints that Mr. Obama had been overly combative, noting that Republicans had demanded that he engage in the bargaining process, and then criticized him as soon as he did.
But Republicans were evidently still smarting from Mr. Obama’s chiding tone. Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas even suggested that the president needed some sedation before he resumed discussions with them.
“I remember when he talked to Republicans before, and all we got was a lecture,” Mr. Roberts said. “So maybe if he would just take a Valium and calm down and come down and talk to us, it might be helpful.”
It wasn’t funny the first time.