By Hugo Gye PUBLISHED: 03:37 EST, 14 May 2013 | UPDATED: 03:37 EST, 14 May 2013 Barack Obama last night blamed right-wing Republicans for the political gridlock which has paralysed Washington - and suggested that many congressmen were too scared of Rush Limbaugh to compromise with their rivals. Speaking to an audience of super-rich Democrats including Justin Timberlake, the President said he thought his re-election would 'break the fever' of partisanship, but admitted that he was still unable to carry out his agenda. However, Mr Obama said he hoped to capitalise on the spirit of co-operation seen following recent disasters to make progress on political issues such as immigration reform.
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President admits he hasn't 'broken the fever' of political division
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But says Republicans are too scared of Rush Limbaugh to compromise
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Obama was speaking to audience of super-rich Democratic donors in NYC
And I genuinely believe that there are actually @placeholder out there who would like to work with us but they're fearful of their base and they're concerned about what Rush Limbaugh might say about them.'