Submitted by Fox First at Ten on January 14th
By JOSH LEDERMANAssociated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama jokingly laments that he is, in his words, "getting kind of lonely in this big house." He says maybe he'll invite some Republican lawmakers over to play cards.
Obama was responding Monday to familiar criticism that he's too isolated, doesn't socialize enough and is surrounding himself with a team lacking diversity. The president says people who know him personally know he's a friendly guy who likes a good party.
But he said it hurts some lawmakers if they're seen as "too cooperative or too chummy" with the president.
Even when he invites lawmakers to a congressional picnic, Obama says, quote, "It doesn't prevent them from going onto the floor of the House and blasting me for being a big-spending socialist."
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
