Obama: Indiana Is Example of Bipartisanship

President Obama Friday visited Ivy Tech’s Indianapolis campus where he advanced a theme of bipartisanship laid out in his State of the Union Address. The president said his relationships with some Indiana Republicans up as proof that bipartisanship works.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard introduced the president offering remarks that might sound unusual coming from a Republican—he thanked the president.

"We've worked together through some tough economic challenges and one thing has always been clear: you understand the issues cities face," Ballard said.

Specifically, Ballard thanked the Obama administration for help completing the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The Federal Department of Transportation provided nearly $20 million in federal transportation grants in 2010.

And when the president took the podium, he made sure to return the love.

"I was struck I was listening to the mayor's introduction. Here in Indiana we've been able to do some good things because we haven't been so worried about Democrat/Republican, we've focused more on trying to get the job done.

"That attitude we're hoping to kinda infect Washington with."

But that bipartisan tone struck in his State of the Union has fallen on deaf ears in Congress.

Congressional Republicans just this week greeted the president’s budget proposal with near-universal criticism.

So the president brought that case for cooperation on the road. He brought along former U-S Senator Richard Lugar, who hitched a ride from Washington, citing their friendship and work on nuclear issues as proof the two parties can work together.

And as his pitch drew to a close, the president urged the audience to take the argument to their representatives. 

"By your voice, letting them know this is important, not because it is partisan but because it is the right thing to do for America," Obama said. "If they hear that from enough people, then that is going to make a difference."

But it’s unclear whether that argument will message actually stick outside the boundaries of the Circle City.