Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News

President Obama's Jobs Speech

Obama's lays out his jobs plan with an address before Congress.

Nicholas Wapshott on what Keynes would tell Obama:

It’s still the economy, stupid. So if Obama wants to keep his job – and we must assume he does, though he doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself much — he must boost the economy and get the jobless back to work. No president since 1948 has been elected with a jobless figure higher than 7.2 per cent, so with unemployment currently running at 9.1 per cent, he looks headed for certain defeat.

More here

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 8:31:21 PM
Obama to call for urgent steps on economy

With his poll numbers at new lows amid voter frustration with 9.1 percent unemployment, Obama will make tax cuts for middle-class households and businesses the centerpiece of the plan and will press for new spending to repair roads, bridges and other deteriorating infrastructure.

Obama, who pushed through an $800 billion economic stimulus package in 2009, will use his televised speech to a joint session of Congress at 7 p.m. EDT to urge passage of his "American Jobs Act" by the end of this year.

More here

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 8:36:30 PM
Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Obama, says his highly anticipated jobs speech will push Congress to act immediately on American job creation.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:20:28 PM
OBAMA SAYS U.S. FACES CRISIS, PUSHES JOBS PLAN

By Laura MacInnis and Alister Bull

"It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled and give companies confidence that if they invest and hire there will be customers for their products and services. You should pass this jobs plan right away," Obama said in excerpts of a televised speech he will deliver at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT).

Media reports have put the size of Obama's jobs package at upward of $300 billion, with CNN quoting sources as saying it could top $400 billion. The White House would not confirm the reports.

Read more

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:23:52 PM
President Obama just left the White House and is on his way to Capital Hill.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:38:09 PM
Boehner and Biden talking about their golf game.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:46:30 PM
The president's motorcade has arrived at the Capital.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:47:26 PM
Many of tonight's proposals resemble prior "stimulus" efforts, but we're not likely to hear that word. (1/3 of '09 stimulus was tax cuts)

by westwingreport via twitter 9/8/2011 10:47:31 PM
House GOP leadership aide tells Jessica Yellin that President Obama called Speaker Boehner around 3:45pm to preview the speech.

by stevebruskCNN via twitter 9/8/2011 10:47:35 PM
President's plans also bump up against the congressional "Supercommittee" which has begun its work of identifying big spending cuts

by westwingreport via twitter 9/8/2011 10:49:07 PM
So, on a scale from 1 to 10, where is this speech going to stand on the spectrum between campaign stump speech and detailed policy proposal?

by felixsalmon 9/8/2011 10:50:22 PM
Biden and Boehner greeted one another warmly - Biden's in a purple tie, Boehner in pink. Did they discuss golf? #obamajobs

by Patricia Zengerle via twitter edited by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:52:55 PM
@Felix Some republicans have already rated it a 10 for stump speech and have decided to skip it entirely. We're about to find out if they're right.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:53:33 PM
Obama's motorcade made its way to the Capitol through virtually empty streets in a downpour, our Alina Selyukh reports.

by Patricia Zengerle via twitter 9/8/2011 10:54:07 PM
President Obama is about to enter the House chamber.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:54:09 PM
Always think this is odd: announcing the congresspeople who will be the President's entourage as he enter's the chamber.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:55:21 PM
Part of Boehner's golf banter with Biden: "7 birdies, 5 bogies... one day I play great, next day I play awful."

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:57:13 PM
Many folks hoping this speech is a tight one, NFL kickoff to follow.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:58:22 PM
Obama's cabinet entering now, Hilary Clinton, Geitner, et al.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 10:59:48 PM
Obama has an array of guests who reflect his agenda in the speech, so does Boehner reut.rs #obamajobs

by Patricia Zengerle via twitter 9/8/2011 11:01:11 PM
look at hilary!!...first one down the aisle!hahah!!!....suckin it all up!!..go hilary!

by adelston2 9/8/2011 11:01:15 PM
btw, @Anthony, if you come down to the liveblogging pod on the 18th floor, we have some Laphroaig for you. We're making sure this liveblog is smokey!

by felixsalmon 9/8/2011 11:01:55 PM
@Felix
I knew I should have stayed and live blogged from the office. I could go for some Laphroaig right about now.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:04:05 PM
VP Biden & Speaker Boehner behind the rostrum look like a pair of stiffs

by westwingreport via twitter 9/8/2011 11:05:18 PM
he's going for the blue tie. sober!

by felixsalmon 9/8/2011 11:06:04 PM
President Obama now inside the chamber, making his way down the aisle, shaking hands.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:06:04 PM
Obama walks in to kisses and handshakes, Cantor right behind him. #ObamaJobs

by Patricia Zengerle via twitter 9/8/2011 11:06:06 PM
'After today's Solyndra debacle, it's fairly certain that the word "stimulus" will be used very carefully... if at all.

by lvreader 9/8/2011 11:06:06 PM
he needs to provide jobs for 50,60,and 70 year old people....a roads and bridges program won't do this....they are too old to dig ditches.....he better come up with something better than that........and here he comes.....with his ears!!!

by adelston2 9/8/2011 11:06:12 PM
Eric Cantor right behind Obama

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:07:38 PM
Obama and Cantor together another bizarre sight. They're such good friends.

by westwingreport via twitter 9/8/2011 11:08:00 PM
Obama presents formal speech text to the two leaders (Biden and Boehner), then gets ready to begin, waves to each side. @ObamaJobs

by Patricia Zengerle via twitter 9/8/2011 11:08:48 PM
President Obama reaches the podium and he's about to begin.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:08:53 PM
Speaker Boehner introduces Obama, which he calls a "distinct honor"

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:09:22 PM
he's gonna need more than 450 billion.

by adelston2 9/8/2011 11:09:32 PM
"Tonight we meet at an urgent time for our country - President Obama

by Ryan McCarthy 9/8/2011 11:09:57 PM
I've posted the prepared text of the speech here.

by felixsalmon 9/8/2011 11:10:18 PM
Obama addressing the fact that this is not a political issue right off the bat.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:10:20 PM
He says people at home don't care about politics, they just care about jobs.

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:10:51 PM
President's speech runs 3,999 words. Probably going to run close to half an hour

by westwingreport via twitter 9/8/2011 11:11:52 PM
Obama calls for an end to the "political circus"

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:12:09 PM
"Everything in this bill will be paid for. Everything" - Obama

by anthony.derosa 9/8/2011 11:13:11 PM
How you gonna pay for it though?

by thecableguy 9/8/2011 11:13:33 PM
"everything in this bill will be paid for". So much for Keynesianism. The stupid Household Metaphor lives!

by felixsalmon 9/8/2011 11:13:33 PM
First mention of the long-term unemployed...curious how many times Obama mentions the 17 million Americans suffering from this

by Ryan McCarthy 9/8/2011 11:13:57 PM

World News

Death toll rises to 28 in Indonesia mine accident

JAKARTA - The death toll from a tunnel collapse at the world's second largest copper mine run by Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc's Indonesian unit was raised to 28 on Wednesday as rescuers gave up hope of finding any more survivors.

» More News

President Obama's Jobs Speech

Obama's lays out his jobs plan with an address before Congress.

World News

Death toll rises to 28 in Indonesia mine accident

Related Topics: