Three days after his inauguration, President Obama met in the White House with Congressional leadership.  Among the attendees was Republican Eric Cantor, who was eager to work with the new administration and believed that the new president was sincere about finding common ground.  As the meeting began, Cantor handed out a document entitled “House Republican Economic Recovery Plan.”

Obama glanced at his copy, looked at Cantor, and said amiably, “Eric, there’s nothing too crazy in here.” ….

“Mr. President,” Cantor offered, “I understand that we have a difference in philosophy on tax policy.”  But a massive stimulus package would be too much like “old Washington,” he said.

“I can go it alone,” the president said . . . .  “Elections have consequences,” the president said.  “And Eric, I won . . . . So on that, I think I trump you,” Obama said.

-Excerpt from Bob Woodward, The Price of Politics