WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) says President Barack Obama's visit with House Republicans was a good start to tackling the nation's problems. But he says differences remain over the budget, the federal debt and other issues.

The Ohio Republican spoke to reporters Wednesday after the president visited House GOP lawmakers in a closed-door meeting at the Capitol.

Boehner says there was a candid exchange of ideas at the session, which he called productive. He said he hoped the two sides could find common ground.

But he also said Republicans want to balance the budget, address the growing federal debt and increase the use of domestic energy sources to create jobs. Boehner said Obama does not want to do those things.