Gibbs to GOP: Become the 'party of yes'

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- White House spokesman Robert Gibbs Monday called on Republicans to become the "party of yes" and work constructively on healthcare reform.

Gibbs's remarks at the daily press briefing followed the White House posting of U.S. President Barack Obama's proposals on healthcare reform in advance of Thursday's summit meeting.

Gibbs said it's time for Republicans to get serious and prove they're not the "party of no."

"If they're not the 'party of no,' Thursday is a perfect venue to be the 'party of yes,'" Gibbs told reporters.

Gibbs called Obama's proposals, which were based on the healthcare reform measure passed by the Senate, a starting point for Thursday's discussions. Gibbs noted they bore a strong resemblance to a bill once endorsed by former Senate Republican Leader Bob Dole of Kansas.

"If the outcome of Thursday is -- or if the setup for Thursday is simply walking in there and saying, I don't support what you've done, and there's nothing else to that, then I think the American people will be disheartened that Democrats and Republicans even sitting in the same room discussing the same subject are incapable of even having a discussion about what alternative ideas there are," Gibbs said in urging Republicans to treat Thursday's summit seriously. He urged them to come in with "constructive proposals."

"I think what comes out of Thursday will be predicated on a willingness by both sides to sit down and have face-to-face discussions and look for that commonality. I think that's what the American people want Democrats and Republicans to do in Washington," Gibbs said.