Obama calls for bipartisanship
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U.S. President Barack Obama Saturday called on Republicans to put aside partisan politics and make concerted efforts with Democrats to strengthen thenation's economy.
"Whatever the outcome on Tuesday, we need to come together to help put people who are still looking for jobs back to work," said Obama in his last weekly address before the Election Day on Nov. 2.
A gloomy employment picture has not changed much since the U.S. economy returned to growth in the second half of last year, with jobless rate remaining high at near 10 percent. Democratic candidates have been particularly hurt by voters' dissatisfaction with the anemic job market.
"There are some practical steps we can take right away to promote growth and encourage businesses to hire and expand," said the president. "These are steps we all should be able to agree on -- not Democratic or Republican ideas, but proposals that have traditionally been supported by both parties."
Initiatives that may gain bipartisan support, in Obama's eyes, include cutting tax for middle class families, granting more tax credit for research and experimentation and investing in infrastructure.
Political observers say confrontation between the White House and the new Congress, where Republicans would probably take control of one or even both Houses, would almost be inevitable.
There could be extensive bargains even on issues Obama believes to be inclined to have common ground between the two parties. For instance, Democrats may not find it easy to reach agreement with Republicans on whether to extend Bush-era tax cuts, an issue that has drawn heated debate prior to the elections.
