During Barack Obama's campaign sp-- uh, State of the Union last week, he pledged to listen to Republican ideas. So Obama, who has set records for his wanderlust in his first year in office, couldn't refuse then when House GOP members invited him to travel all the way to Maryland for a Q&A last Friday.

But was he really listening?

Soon after Obama admitted "a failure on my part, is to try to foster better communications," moderator Mike Pence of Indiana called on the next questioner

"Jeb Hensarling, Texas," Pence clearly called out. "And that will be it."

"Jim's gonna wrap things up?" Obama responded.

"Jeb, Mister President," Hensarling, a senior member of the House Budget and Financial Services committees, gently prompted, before reminding Obama of a prior conversation between them. Obama nodded in agreement as Hensarling gave a heartfelt description of their discussion about not leaving their daughters "an unconscionable debt."

He then began to point out the steps that Obama has taken to pile onto that debt.

But before Jeb could even ask his question, Obama interrupted him

"Jim," he began ....

This is how Obama listens to Republicans.