White House sees 'enormous obstacles' to reaching deal on deficit reduction

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Thursday that “enormous obstacles” stand in the way of a deficit-reduction deal.

Speaking a day after President Obama’s meeting with House Republicans and two days after a similar Obama meeting with Senate Democrats, Carney said the president would “continue to push” for a bipartisan compromise.

He said a deal remains out of reach right now but that Obama “will continue to engage” in one-on-one meetings with lawmakers and other venues.

The president is meeting with Senate Republicans and House Democrats on Thursday.

While the deficit reduction issue is important, Carney said, “that's not the only game in town” and that Obama will continue to work with lawmakers on immigration and gun control.

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