[February 04, 2014]WASHINGTON
(Reuters) — U.S. President Barack Obama met on Monday with Senate
Democratic Leader Harry Reid to explore ways to try to prevent
Republicans from winning control of the Senate from the Democrats in the
November elections, a top party aide said.
Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, chairman of
the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, also attended the White House
meeting along with Guy Cecil, executive director of the committee, said the
aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Republicans need a net gain of six seats on Election Day to take the Senate, now
held by Democrats, 55-45.
Troubled by Obama's low approval ratings, a number of Senate Democrats in tough
races have begun to distance themselves from the president in their re-election
campaigns.
Obama needs Democrats to have any chance of having any legislative successes
this year, such as his push to reduce the gap between rich and poor.
The president plans to hold a reception at the White House on Tuesday with House
Democrats and address Senate Democrats at their annual retreat in Washington on
Wednesday.
At Monday's meeting, Obama and Reid did not discuss the senator's comments last
week opposing the president's push for expanded authority to negotiate trade
deals, the party aide said.
(Reporting by Thomas Ferraro and Steve Holland;
editing by Jonathan Oatis)
