Obama, Boehner Open to Compromise With Firm Stance

President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner began public negotiations over how to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, expressing a willingness to compromise while reiterating their previous positions.

Obama, claiming a mandate from voters after his Nov. 6 re- election, called yesterday for an immediate tax-cut extension for people earning less than $250,000 and insisted that top earners pay more. Boehner cited public support for the re- elected House Republican majority and said tax rates must not go up.