Obama talks Illinois politics with Roskam
SPRINGFIELD - Asked Friday why he's not been more cooperative with Republicans, President Obama pointed out that back in Illinois, GOP governor hopeful Kirk Dillard is being bashed for daring to cross party lines.
"Poor guy," Obama quipped with a smile during a meeting with Congressional Republicans.
The question came from Wheaton Republican Peter Roskam, who served alongside both Dillard and Obama in the Illinois Senate.
Specifically, Roskam noted that Obama's strength in Springfield had been his ability to roll up his sleeves to make "the deal." Roskam said he thought that attribute had been lacking during Obama's initial year in the White House and blamed Democratic leadership's partisan stranglehold on policy for the lack of accomplishments.
While he didn't use Dillard's name, the president noted the irony of Roskam's question given the tenor of campaigning in Illinois and appealed for political temperance across the land.
"A tone of civility instead of slash and burn would be helpful," he said.
"We've got to be careful what we say about each other sometimes because it boxes us in and makes it difficult for us to work together," Obama told the assembled Republicans.
However, the call for bipartisan peace doesn't appear to be taking hold on the campaign trail here.
"Even President Obama understands why Kirk Dillard is on the hot seat for supporting him for President in 2008. That's not a very popular position in a Republican primary, nor are his past votes to raise taxes," said Lance Trover, spokesman for GOP candidate Andy McKenna.
McKenna's campaign ads raised the issue of Dillard appearing in an Obama ad that ran in Iowa during the build up to that state's crucial 2008 caucuses. In the ad, Dillard talks about Obama's negotiating skill and ability to work with Republicans to get things done.
When told of Obama's comments, a Dillard spokesman offered no immediate reaction.
Contacted later Friday, Roskam again said President Obama isn't the same politician he knew back in Springfield.
"I think the president may be at somewhat of a legislative crossroads," Roskam told the Daily Herald. "Is he going to continue to allow (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi to drive the agenda ... or is he going to take a more proactive role?"
Despite Roskam's plea for bipartisanship, he said the campaign criticism of Dillard is justified and put the onus on Obama.
"I think all those associations are fair game ... but ultimately the public is looking for the president to lead," Roskam said.
Daily Herald staff writer Timothy Magaw contributed to this report.
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