As Obama lobbies for House energy bill, White House spokesman says ‘I’d bet on the president’

White House likes chances on House energy bill

WASHINGTON — The White House says it likes its chances as the climate bill heads toward a House vote.

President Barack Obama is calling lawmakers to seek their support and he spoke in the Rose Garden on Thursday to build momentum.

Asked about the bill’s chances, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: “We like where we are now, and I’d bet on the president.”

Gibbs offered no details on how many lawmakers Obama had called.

House Democratic leaders are working to line up enough votes to get the bill passed, possibly as early as Friday.