U.S. 'losing the future,' says RNC chair

(CNN) - Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus used President Barack Obama's tag line against him Wednesday, saying for the first time in years the United States is "losing the future."

At a speech to the City Club of Chicago, in the president's backyard, the newly-elected chairman jabbed the president over spending and the budget, while making the case for a Republican president in 2012.

"Sure the President can talk about hope all he wants. But here is the problem: hope isn't hiring in America," Priebus said. "He may win the 'debate' award, but he loses the 'follow through' award."

After issuing a caveat saying the president isn't a "bad man" and is a "gifted politician," he said "good speeches do not create jobs."

"The president has said a lot of right things. But here is the problem: the results do not match the rhetoric," Priebus said.

Since he succeeded Michael Steele as chairman of the GOP leadership committee in January, the RNC has focused on fundraising, raking in $7.014 million in March, bringing its debt to $19.764 million.

But the Wisconsin native pointed to the unemployment level and the stimulus bill as signs the president has not delivered on job creation. Although he said leaders on both sides of the aisle contributed to the current situation, he doesn't see the president solving the issues, unlike the "new brand of Republican leaders" in Washington.

"More than anything, these Republicans say what they mean; they mean what they say," Priebus said. "Above all, they govern like they campaigned. What they pledged on the campaign trail is what they are delivering on Capitol Hill and the State House."

And ultimately, he's focused on 2012.

"This election in 2012 is not about liking President Obama. It is an election about principles; economic principles that will profoundly affect our ability to put this country back on a sustainable path to prosperity," Priebus said. "My job is not just to help elect a Republican president in 2012; my job is to help elect a Republican president who can deliver meaningful economic results."

Hari Sevugan, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee said Priebus should concentrate on the economic obstacles facing the RNC instead of criticizing the president.

"With 13 straight months of private sector job growth, the President has led the country from the brink of economic collapse following eight years of Republican economic policies to the road to recovery today," Sevugan said in an email. "If we were Mr. Priebus we'd focus on the economic collapse that is facing his Republican National Committee."