Obama to mix policy with politics

Introduction

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will meet behind closed doors with Democratic congressional leaders at the White House Wednesday.

The gathering will focus on the president’s plan to extend Bush-era tax cuts for the middle class, as well as job-creating initiatives.

The meeting comes as Obama hits the campaign trail with a renewed call to retain decade-old tax rates for households earning less than $250,000 a year while letting taxes rise for households earning more. The tax cuts expire at year’s end.

The White House says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will be among those in attendance.