Obama, GOP spar over progress in DC

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama and Republicans used their weekly radio and internet messages to take each other to task over gridlock in Washington.

Obama is calling for government reforms to ease gridlock and bar members of Congress from profiting from their position.

Obama says many people he encountered during his recent three-day trip are optimistic but remain unsure that Washington can act.

The president reiterated his calls for government reform made in Tuesday's State of the Union address.

For the Republicans, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says the lack of action in Washington mostly reveals Obama's lack of achievement and failed leadership. Rubio says Obama would rather people not know that.

The Florida senator says free enterprise is the solution to the growing gap between the rich and the poor.