(CNN) – President Barack Obama highlighted his recent jobs tour Saturday, emphasizing a need to focus on improving the economy rather than getting distracted by other issues in the nation’s capital.
“That’s why I like getting out of the Washington echo chamber whenever I can – because too often, our politics aren’t focused on the same things you are,” Obama said in his weekly address. “Working hard. Supporting your family and your community. Making sure your kids have every chance in life.”
The president traveled to Baltimore Friday, where he sought to shift the spotlight away from the controversies that are taking a hit on his administration. While he didn't address the trio of dust-ups - the renewed attention on the Benghazi attack, the IRS targeting of political groups and the Justice Department's subpoena of Associated Press phone records - the president made it clear that the country's main priority is improving the economy.
Obama spoke at a dredging manufacturing company and made visits to a nearby community center and an elementary school that provides comprehensive early childhood education and services, including the federal program Head Start.
Last week the president kicked off his jobs tour in Austin, where he met with groups of students, local residents, entrepreneurs and tech professionals. He announced an executive action that creates manufacturing institutes in part sponsored by the federal government.
In his weekly address, Obama highlighted his economic policies since taking office but argued there was more work to be done.
“In a little over three years, our businesses have created more than 6.5 million new jobs. And while our unemployment rate is still too high, it’s the lowest it’s been since 2008. But now we need to create even more good, middle-class jobs, and we need to do it faster,” he said.
The president added he plans to visit more cities and vowed “to work with both parties in Washington to make progress” on the economy.
Thought this was supposed to be the rallying cry for the republicans, too. But it seems they've had their limited ability to focus once again redirected, to matters more politically pressing. After all whats more important, you being able to make a living, or them (the republicans), making political grandstanding an event worthy of an Olympic event. They believe the latter.
Let's see "lazer focus on jobs", solendra, bailouts, recovery act- What does this disconnected person with no background think... He just gives a speech and jobs happen??
when the republicans are in the white house -its not the governments job to create jobs
Will you find yourself a job so we can have our Country back before you ruin it.
Obama, and the far left are clueless as to how to get the job sector rolling. all he needs to do is take a step back and look at China. Take the handcufs off of big business and let the do what they do best and thats make tons of money.then they invest and expsand.that means more jobs.help and give money to small business instead of big banks. Fact is the left hates the rich(Even though just about all their leades are rich also) And the tell people that they are poor because rich people have the money.this is insane thinking.
So where ARE the jobs you campaigned on?
Republicans have no time to work on jobs, why would they help obama create jobs, and help america? that is not their objective, just not going to work, they only campaign on our taxpayer dime. truly sad what has come of the gop, until they get voted into irrelevancy, they only wish to stop anything good for our country. why cant they be happy when good news comes out?
Work with both parties. Um, yes. The house has repealed Obama Care. Now you need to get the senate to do the same and you sign the bill. That will do a lot to improve hiring. Savvy ?
yes, by all means, let's go back to his jobs failure because his benghazi, irs and justice dept. failures are very distracting. all this clown knows how to do is go out on the campaign trail. 4.5 years of campaigning with 3.5 more to go with absolutely noting to show for it. how about staying in washington dc and doing your job and answering all the questions around these scandals? how about some truth and honesty for once mr. most transparent president???
More speechifying, yeah that'll get things done. That's his only talent really, as he spins out his blather with the cadence of a preacher, still able to mesmerize and hold his already biased low-information supporters, as well as many of those who should really know better, in thrall.
@Ray E. (Georgia)
Work with both parties. Um, yes. The house has repealed Obama Care. Now you need to get the senate to do the same and you sign the bill. That will do a lot to improve hiring. Savvy ?
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NICE TRY !
Your wrong , It's about keeping health care cost down , your way wasn't working .
Big Insurance and Health care corporations are angry because they wont be able to bilk tax payers anymore .
If employers don't pay for insurance , and the employer can't afford to buy insurance , who pays ?
The Tax Payer , , the Big heath care corporations love that , they charge three times the cost and the corruption is rampant.
Ask your friend Gov. Rick Scott .
just sayin !
This clown is in way over his head. Just go back to the golf course and leave the country alone.
After raising 4 children and now having 4 grandchildren, I definitely know when someone is not telling the truth. Sorry Mr. Obama you have not been truthful, on Benghazi, IRS and Obamacare.