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I'm Mark Smith at a snowbound White House where President Barack Obama is trying to unthaw his domestic agenda in a new round of talks with Democratic and Republican leaders. And a short time ago, he paid a surprise visit to the White House briefing room to give us a readout.

"The meeting did go well and I appreciate them making the trek¹. We had a good and frank conversation and it’s one that I hope we can continue on a more regular basis."

Obama spoke² after his first meeting with GOP leaders in two months and as he tries to get Congress to pass a jobs bill but also get back to health care. Republicans have demanded Obama toss out his health overhaul³ and start from scratch. Will he?

"What I will not do, what I don't think makes sense and I don't think the American people want to see would be another year of partisan⁴ wrangling⁵."

In fact, Obama's briefing room appearance became his first solo White House news conference since last July. And he responded to questions on everything from the economy to Iran's defiant⁶ nuclear program.

"Next step is sanctions. They have made their choice so far although the door is still open."

So why a news conference now? What the president’s aides know, it’s another tool in his persuasion⁷ arsenal⁸ as he tries to break an icy partisan logjam. In fact, Obama imagined Republican and Democratic leaders out here together doing snow angels.

Mark Smith, the Associate Press, the White House.