Capitol Hill , '' Obama said , adding that Democrats and Republicans need to be careful in choosing their rhetoric . `` A ton of civility instead of slash and burn would be helpful . '' The president highlighted what he said was problematic GOP rhetoric on his health care proposals . Republicans , he said , had characterized the proposed program as some `` kind of Bolshevik plot . '' In fact , he said that much of his plan was similar to what Republicans had proposed during the failed Clinton-era push to overhaul health care . Both sides need to `` close the gap a little bit between rhetoric and reality , '' the president argued . Calling his health care plan `` some wild-eyed plot to impose big government in every aspect of our lives '' leaves little room for bipartisan negotiation , Obama said . The president questioned how Republicans could negotiate in good faith after using such rhetoric without exposing themselves to conservative primary challengers . House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio , said he tried to be honest about differences over administration proposals . `` I truly believe a government takeover of health
Baltimore , Maryland -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Obama and House GOP leaders promised greater efforts to step back from the partisan brink Friday , acknowledging that Washington 's toxic political climate has made it increasingly tough to tackle major problems . The pledge was immediately called into question , however , as the two parties repeatedly expressed sharply differing viewpoints during a rare meeting at a House Republican retreat in Baltimore . Obama accepted an invitation from House GOP leaders to address their caucus . His speech Friday was followed by an often pointed question-and-answer session . `` House Republican leaders are grateful for -LSB- Obama 's -RSB- willingness to come ... and have a frank and honest conversation , '' said Rep. Mike Pence , R-Indiana . `` We welcome the dialogue with the president . '' The president accused Republicans of frequently mischaracterizing his policy proposals , particularly in the health care debate . Republicans , in turn , complained the White House and congressional Democrats had ignored their ideas , locked them out of the policy-making process and unfairly labeled them as obstructionists . `` Both sides can take some blame for a sour climate on