At ballgame, Obama goes to bat for free trade deal

President Obama cheered on both teams when he visited Nationals Park Thursday night for the annual Congressional Baseball Game, but it was clear to everyone that he was really there to root for a free trade deal.

With enabling legislation hanging by the narrowest of margins on Capitol Hill, Obama summoned his motorcade for an unscheduled trip to the ballpark. Upon arriving, he first sought out House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who has emerged as a key player in allowing the vote on trade promotion authority, or TPA, to proceed.

Obama visited both the Democratic and Republican dugouts, but spent only about an inning at the game — long enough to watch Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., strike out.

Though the annual baseball game allows members of Congress to channel their partisan competitiveness into charitable causes, politics was never far away from anyone's mind.

As Obama left the field, Republicans chanted, "T-P-A! T-P-A!" Democrats chanted, "Four more years!"

Obama also visited with some other presidents: The Washington Nationals mascots best known for their fourth-inning race.

The Democrats won, 5-2.