combat. now the freshman senator tells politico he is, quote, seriously considering running for president in 2016. after a relentless criticism for failing to reach out across the aisle, president obama had his second date in two days with top republicans. the president had lunch yesterday with his former vice presidential opponent and house budget chairman paul ryan at the white house. also in attendance, ranking democrat christian holland. according to both camps the group discussed a range of issues from addressing the deficit to replacing the sequester cuts. conversation came over lentil vegetable soup and broiled sea bass served with roasted vegetable ragu. just the night before the president dined, 12 top republican senate members, all those senators described the talks as optimistic. boehner added if to the dialogue. i did have a conversation with the president about last friday. it was really kind of interesting that this week we ve