Amid Budget Impasse, Obama Leaves For Meeting With Al Sharpton’s Group

Despite the budget impasse that could lead to a government shutdown – and despite his call for another White House meeting Wednesday to discuss that impasse – President Barack Obama is leaving town around noon today.

First he’s going to a wind turbine plant in Philadelphia to discuss his energy agenda; and then he’s going to New York City to mark the 20th anniversary of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.

In an unexpected appearance before White House reporters Tuesday, President Obama said he wanted another meeting with congressional leaders at the White House on Wednesday. He said he would “have my entire team available” to get a budget deal done -- the entire team, apparently, except for Obama himself – the head of the team.

Obama told reporters on Tuesday, “I think what they’re looking from me is the same thing that they’re looking from Speaker Boehner and Harry Reid and everybody else, and that is…that we act like grownups, and when we are in negotiations like this, that everybody gives a little bit, compromises a little bit in order to do the people’s business.”

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) reportedly declined the president’s invitation to appear at the White House again Wednesday.

In remarks on his Web site Wednesday morning, Boehner said he was “disappointed but not surprised” that the White House is “attacking” the Republicans’ budget-cutting proposal.

“The president is certainly entitled to disagree with our budget, but what exactly is his alternative?” Boehner asked. “If he wants to have an ‘adult conversation’ about solving our fiscal challenges, he needs to lead instead of sitting on the sidelines.”

Boehner also referred to the co-chairs of the president’s own deficit commission, who have described Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget blueprint as a “serious, honest, and straightforward approach” to addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges.

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