Obama seeks to build unity with Senate Democrats in election year

By Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama sought to build a united front with Democratic senators on Wednesday, inviting them to the White House to chat about "shared goals" heading into midterm elections in which Republicans will try to exploit Obama's woes to pick up seats. Obama urged senators to hold off on a proposed Iran sanctions bill that many support – and which he has vowed to veto. The White House has said the legislation would derail an international deal to curb Iran's nuclear program. Obama, not known for his tendency to schmooze, sat on a stool with a microphone in the ornate East Room of the White House, giving brief remarks before taking questions from senators for about 90 minutes.