Obama, Ryan have lunch date to discuss budget crisis

By the Associated Press

CREATED Mar. 7, 2013 - UPDATED: Mar. 7, 2013

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WASHINGTON - Janesville Republican Representative Paul Ryan confirms that President Barack Obama has invited him for lunch at the White House Thursday.

Obama's lunch date with the Wisconsin Republican follows his Wednesday night dinner with a dozen GOP senators.

The president is trying to build support among rank-and-file Republicans for starting talks on a long-term deficit reduction deal.

Ryan, the author of the House GOP budget, previewed a long-term plan this week to erase federal deficits without raising taxes. Obama has insisted that higher taxes be part of any measure.

Ryan was also the GOP's vice presidential candidate last year.

“I appreciate the President’s invitation, and I look forward to our conversation. I hope this is the beginning of a serious discussion of the challenges we face," Ryan told Newsradio 620 WTMJ in a statement.