Obama Chicago visit will include talk of economy, guns
(CNN) – President Barack Obama will return to his adopted home of Chicago Friday for an event highlighting the economic plans that will be delivered during his State of the Union speech, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said on Sunday.
At the event, Obama will also discuss the rampant gun violence in Chicago, where over 500 people were murdered last year, according to authorities.
Watch CNN's comprehensive coverage of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address starting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET on CNN TV and follow online at CNN.com or via CNN's apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. Follow our real-time State of the Union live blog at cnn.com/conversation.
"The president will travel to Chicago for an event amplifying some of the policy proposals included in the State of the Union that focus on strengthening the economy for the middle class and the Americans striving to get there," another White House official said. "He'll, of course, also talk about the gun violence that has tragically affected too many families in communities across Chicago and across the country."
The trip to Chicago will come after visits to Asheville, North Carolina, on Wednesday and Atlanta on Thursday, where the president will focus similarly on the economic themes of his Tuesday night State of the Union address, according to a release from Carney.
On Saturday, first lady Michelle Obama traveled to Chicago to attend the funeral of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl was shot and killed just a week after she performed at Obama's second inauguration.
She was shot in a park January 29, an unintended victim of gang violence. She was shot in the Hyde Park neighborhood near Obama's Chicago home, and her murder was the city's 42nd this year.
Obama's administration has been focused on advancing measures stopping gun violence since December's deadly massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. The president has pressed Congress to pass a ban on military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and has asked for measures that bolster background checks on gun sales.
The proposals' success in Congress, however, is far from certain. Many Republicans and some pro-gun Democrats oppose an assault weapons ban. Most see background checks as the most likely measure to gain Congressional approval.
Administration officials said Sunday the president will renew his support for the gun proposals he's already endorsed during his State of the Union address, including a ban on military-style assault weapons and bolstering background checks. He will call for quick action on passing those measures through Congress, the officials said.
–CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin contributed to this report.
Oh? Is he going to talk about the 500+ people that the gun laws have killed in Chicago this year? The LAWS get these people killed when they are legally disarmed, and attacked by criminals.
Thats so sad, she obviously had a bright future. that sux.
I am sure that the president will emphasize to the nation the coincidence of Chicago having the most draconian gun laws in the nation along with being the murder by gun capitol. Or, will he tell Illinois and the other 49 states to enforce the thousands of gun laws already on the books? Will we get Obama the leader or Obama the deflector?
" The president has pressed Congress to pass a ban on military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and has asked for measures that bolster background checks on gun sales."
– – AND – –
"...Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl was shot and killed just a week after she performed at Obama's second inauguration.
She was shot in a park January 29, an unintended victim of gang violence. She was shot in the Hyde Park neighborhood near Obama's Chicago home, and her murder was the city's 42nd this year. "
None of the proposed gun control measures wanted by the President would have prevented this sad death...in a state with the most restrictive gun laws and in a city with over 500 gun deaths last year.
The more he speaks to the public the better. The GOP has certainly been speaking out. We had the Rep. from Michigan telling us how cyber activity is being compromised. He could not ell us much because it is all supposed classified. Rep. Rogers needs to be more forthcoming or stop appearing on Sunday shows. The scare tactic has been used over and over again by the Republicans. Just remember how we got into a war in Iraq – we heard all about weapons of mass destruction but we never saw any proof because there was none.
Now we hear that the Bushes were the victims were hacked. Bad as it might seem it is no worse than any other victim. Whenever hacking occurs it hurts someone. Perhaps the networks will cover similar stories of average citizens..
You need to take care of Unemployment problem at home. Eiight plane loads full of India guys are coming each day into USA while here unemployment is severe. It is pathetic and needs to be addressed. Be it IT sector or Doctors–send them home. Unemployment is there in those fields too. Cut immigrations. Fix this problem first.
Oh good the president in a democratic machine city with the worst crime in the nation and an economy based on hand outs-- his kind of city!
GO FOR IT OBAMA. Keep up the pressure and don't give up on getting these guns off the street.
Will he discuss how Chicago's stiff gun control laws failed?
Will he mention his 08 campaign promise to end oil speculation?
President,
You need to get tough on guns, you accomplishment in reducing gun related violence will help this country to be on the map of civilized nations.
Obama to the Chicago gangs: "Please stop shooting each other. It makes me look bad!"
Gun Background Checks would be acceptable to the anti-gun control folks if you can guarantee the weapon serial number is not included in the Gun Background Checks.
What is a "Background Check?" A Background Check is a request for information from the gun dealer to the law enforcement agency of the Federal Government (ATF). If the person wanting to buy a gun is cleared the gun dealer is free to sell them the gun.
The problem for anti-gun control folks is that the background check is tied to the serial number of the gun, and the anti-gun control folks believe the government cannot have that information that they consider a violation of their 2nd Amendment Rights.
This is worth repeating.
Make no mistake, background checks are de facto gun registration. The dealer keeps the forms, but the gun serial number is forever tied to the buyer, and in case of invasion, the first thing the enemy would do is get those forms then get the weapons. Just like in the movie "Red Dawn."
Now, if you doubt this information, call your local gun dealer and ask about it.
Gun registration is unconstitutional, therefore de facto gun registration background checks are unconstitutional. QED.
How about a plan for gang violence?
What that the gun regulations in Chicago have contributed to the over 500 murders last year?
Do what you best Obama, divide and campaign....and spend of course!
OBAMA Chicago visit will include talk of economy, guns
WE...
Can be like Detroit !!!
Yes WE Can !!!
Full of UNION thugs;
and Lib/Progressive politicians !
FORWARD >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>
To the good life on The Government Plantation
I would be interested in knowing how many of the the 500 gun deaths in Chicago were caused by so-called military-style assault weapons. But I guess that isn't the real reason why the President and others want them banned, is it.
why are we listening to a person who is all show and blow, he knows nothing of what it takes to act like a leader, but he is real good at lieing.