The U.S President Barack Obama has urged Republicans in the House of Representatives to work with him on major national priorities saying cooperation is essential to the country's economic recovery. President spoke to Republicans at their issues conference in Baltimore, Maryland and some of the give and take in an extraordinary exchange with his political opposition.<br/><br/>After the President's State of the Union Address in which he warned of the harmful effects of divisive politics, Republicans said he had delivered rhetoric but no indications he was willing to change the direction of his policies.Republicans have opposed his health care reform effort, asserting it would add to high deficits and heavy long-term debt. They also point to the 10 percent national unemployment rate as proof that administration policies have not been effective.<br/><br/>President Obama was able to point to new figures showing the U.S. economy grew 5.7 percent, the second straight quarter of growth and fastest since 2003, as proof of progress in recovering from the recession. He has also proposed new tax incentives for small businesses.