Deciphering Obama’s Chemistry with Congress – Or Lack of It

Obama's relationship with congressional Democrats is hardly chummy. And he has even less personal chemistry with Republican leaders.

GOP leaders are already peeved with the president for his recent veto threats and go-it-alone policy moves.

Democratic leaders are less relevant now that they're in the minority party in both the House and Senate.

Good relations between the White House and the Capitol Hill leadership can help smooth dealmaking.

But voices at both the White House and within Congress caution against attaching too much importance to personal dynamics.

They say if both sides really want a deal, it will happen regardless of the chemistry

(Story by: Nancy Benac, The Associated Press)