WASHINGTON -- Massachusetts Governor-elect Charlie Baker is planning to meet with President Obama on Friday at the White House, one of his most high-profile meetings since being elected last month.
Baker is one of six incoming governors planning to attend the meeting, which the White House says will address ways in which the Obama administration can work with the governors on improving the economy.
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Baker and the other newly-elected governors will also meet with Vice President Joe Biden.
Obama has shared a long warm relationship with Baker's predecessor, Deval Patrick, who has been at the White House numerous times and shared dinner with the president on Martha's Vineyard. But there appears to be little relationship between Obama and Baker.
Obama supported Baker's Democratic opponent, Martha Coakley, and Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama held several fundraisers for her.
Baker has tried to showcase a bipartisan approach, hiring Democrats to serve as his chief of staff and secretary of housing and economic development. He has also played down interest in national politics, or ties to national Republicans.
When the Globe asked Baker shortly after he won whether his campaign provided lessons for the national Republican Party, he said, 'I don't view myself as a national anything.'
A spokesman for Baker did not immediately respond to requests for comment, or questions about whether Baker is planning any other meetings in Washington.
The other governors planning to attend the meeting include Bill Walker of Alaska; Bruce Rauner of Illinois; Larry Hogan of Maryland; Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania; and Greg Abbott of Texas.
Wolf is the only Democrat, and several of the incoming governors have spoken out strongly against Obama.
The incoming governor of Texas, for example, has sued the Obama administration over health care and is now planning a lawsuit over its new immigration policies.
Matt Viser can be reached at matt.viser@globe.com.
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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