President Obama is taking his charm offensive to the links.
According to the White House, the president is golfing Monday with Sens. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Bob Corker, R-Tenn. and Mark Udall, D-Colo., at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland
In recent weeks, Obama dined four times with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, hoping to make inroads on his contentious domestic agenda. Most notably, Obama played golf with House Speaker John Boehner during talks over a so-called grand bargain — but negotiations ultimately broke down.
Why the Monday golf date?
“He’s willing to try anything,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said. “And whether it’s a conversation on the phone or a meeting in the Oval Office or dinner in a restaurant or dinner in the residence, he’s going to have the same kinds of conversations.”
Republicans have hammered the president for his near-weekly trips to the golf course, using the hobby to paint Obama as out of touch with the needs of ordinary Americans. Earlier this year, Obama took a weekend trip to Florida, where he golfed at a luxury resort with Tiger Woods.
Usually, the president golfs on the weekend. He gave the commencement address at Ohio State University on Sunday.
Another threat to Obama’s golf outing: the weather. Rain is in the forecast for Monday afternoon.
