He accused Republicans of portraying his now-stalled healthcare reform effort as a "Bolshevik plot" and telling their constituents he is "doing all kinds of crazy stuff that's going to destroy America."
"I am not an ideologue," Obama insisted to his audience, prompting some murmuring of disagreement in the crowd. "I'm not."
Assailing Republicans for trying to obstruct him on everything from economic stimulus to healthcare, Obama suggested their political motive was to score points with voters in the November congressional elections.
"These are serious times and what's required of all of us is to do what's right for our country, even if it's not best for our politics," Obama said.
The event was the annual retreat of Republican members of the House of Representatives. They tried Obama's patience on a number of occasions by asking questions that were basically statements of their beliefs.
An example came from Representative Jeb Hensarling, who asked: "Will that new budget, like your old budget, triple the national debt and continue to take us down the path of increasing the cost of government to almost 25 percent of our economy? That's the question, Mr. President."
Obama complained that "the whole question was structured as a talking point for running a campaign."
Taking on his opponents, Obama did not mince words.
He slammed blanket Republican opposition to a $787 billion economic stimulus plan passed by the Democratic-led Congress last year, saying despite that opposition, some Republican lawmakers appeared at ribbon-cutting ceremonies for projects in their districts funded by the program.
And he insisted that Friday's government report of 5.7 percent economic growth for the fourth quarter showed his efforts to jump-start the economy were working.
While acknowledging double-digit unemployment could not be tolerated, Obama also reminded the lawmakers of the high joblessness and huge budget deficit he had inherited from his Republican predecessor, George W. Bush.
The president, known for his "No-drama Obama" demeanor, grew testier as the session wore on.
When Georgia congressman Tom Price charged that Obama had repeatedly accused Republicans of offering "no ideas and no solutions," Obama shot back, "I don't think I said that."
Obama, Republicans clash in unusual session | Reuters
