Officially, House Republicans retreated to Baltimore this week to hash out their legislative agenda: repealing health care reform, cutting government spending and fulfilling the other campaign promises that helped to sweep them into the majority.
But they still had to eat, and their first two meals Friday provided much food for thought for the 2012 presidential race. Breakfast served up former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, while lunch was a buffet of GOP governors: Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Rick Perry of Texas and Bob McDonnell of Virginia.
All four are said to be considering bids to make President Barack Obama a one-termer. None, however, committed to a candidacy at the gathering that drew more than 200 House members to the Marriott Waterfront hotel.
"By the end of February, I'll decide whether to have an exploratory committee," Gingrich said.
"I'm not going to make any decision about that until spring," Barbour said.
The House Republicans' annual retreat traditionally draws presidential hopefuls — and, last year, an actual president. Obama gave a particularly nimble performance during a question-and-answer session with House members broadcast live from Baltimore, which made for riveting television.
And, the speculation goes, perhaps led to his not being invited this year. Instead, his name was invoked often — as an adversary.
After a week devoted to honoring the victims of the shooting attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona and debating the need for civility in politics, GOP lawmakers signaled they're ready to get back to their interrupted agenda — including a largely symbolic vote next week to repeal the Democrats' health care legislation.
Rep. Andy Harris said he was hoping to delve into budgetary issues at the conference. The Baltimore County Republican, a member of the largest GOP freshman class since 1938, skipped the one field trip scheduled as part of the retreat.
"I've been to Fort McHenry," he said with a laugh.
Other than the Thursday outing to the War of 1812 landmark, the lawmakers have spent their time at the hotel, and under tight security after the Tucson rampage.
A Baltimore police mobile command unit was parked outside the hotel while local and Capitol Police officers and earpiece-wearing security personnel patrolled the hallways and lobby. Baltimore police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said there were extra officers on duty and tactical officers on standby.
The representatives have heard from radio talk-show host Dennis Prager, columnist George Will and former Sen. Phil Gramm, who spoke at Friday's breakfast with Gingrich. Harris said he found the talk particularly interesting, given that Gramm and Gingrich had been in Congress during a time when lawmakers grappled with a similarly growing budget deficit.
Gingrich said he sees similarities and differences between the incoming GOP freshmen and the cohort he ushered into Congress in 1994, the year of the "Contract with America."
"They've arrived with a mission. They're very dedicated," Gingrich said of the current group. "They may be even more serious about studying and learning. They have a model of what works and what doesn't work."
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, Maryland's other House Republican, called Gingrich and Gramm "two of my favorite people."
The 10-term congressman from Western Maryland said much of the morning discussion focused on the coming vote to raise the government's debt ceiling — something he has never supported.
The ordinarily routine vote — it is required to prevent the federal government from defaulting — could prove problematic this year, given the pressure from the anti-deficit and anti-spending tea party on the new Republican majority.
"I do not think the sky would fall if we lived within our means," Bartlett said.