Obama spars with Fox News anchor, talks benefits of health care overhaul

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Obama appears on Fox News, long White House target

WASHINGTON — After weeks of the White House belittling Fox News, President Barack Obama has appeared on the cable network to sell his embattled health care overhaul.

During an interview Wednesday punctuated with interruptions and chiding, Obama defended his health care plan and the process by which it is heading toward becoming law. In the interview with Fox News Channel anchor Bret Baier, Obama several times emphasized the upside of the proposals and dodged questions about how Congress might pass it.

The interview was notable because the White House has sharply criticized the cable network. Top officials have said it is part of the Republican Party and Obama has singled out the network for perceived bias.