Last week, President Obama attended the House Republican retreat in Baltimore by invitation to interact with the opposition caucus and try to seek some common ground. It’s a remarkable event because he also directly answered questions from the Representatives. He gives an incredible defense of his genuine intentions for bipartisanship, scolds the Republicans for their extremist rhetoric, and defended the stimulus bill and the economic recovery of his Administration in a clear and compelling way.

I’m embedding the video below and you can read the full transcript at the White House blog. It’s basically a vindication of his entire first year in office, despite the naysayers from left and right. President Obama will be attending a similar retreat for House Democrats later and I am certain he will face equally tough questions with equally firm responses.