(Newser)
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Barack Obama made a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room today, after a meeting with Republican leaders. After joking that the meeting had gone so well that Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell were “out doing snow angels on the South Lawn,” he issued a stern call to compromise. “Bipartisan can’t be that I agree to all the things that they want and they agree to none of the things that I want,” he said.
“Bipartisanship cannot mean simply that Democrats give up everything that they believe in,” he continued. “That’s not how it works in any other realm of life. That’s certainly not how it works in my marriage with Michelle.” He stressed that Democrats will have to make compromises too, urging both sides to find “a sense of purpose that transcends petty politics.” On that note, he threatened to make "several recess appointments" if Senate Republicans failed to "set aside partisanship" and confirm his nominees.