Obama asks U.S. parties to put aside partisanship

WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama told members of Congress on Wednesday that Democrats and Republicans needed to put aside their partisan rancor, saying the country cannot afford it.

In his first State of the Union address, Obama also said neither party should obstruct every piece of legislation. Republicans have been accused of fighting all of Obama's legislative initiatives. Keywords: OBAMA/PARTISANSHIP (Editing by Stacey Joyce; [e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: [e-mail]) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.