On the Road
National News
by
Steve Handelsman
last edited on
Monday, February 01, 2010
In feisty campaign style, President Obama on Thursday focused on jobs and despite political setbacks denied that he's changing his agenda or his approach. Republicans in Washington agreed and complained that the president is sticking to his guns.
That day after his State of The Union speech promise to focus on the economy, President Obama went to Florida, toured an Air Force base sending supplies to Haiti and announced 8 billion in high-speed rail grants to 31 states and the District of Columbia.
"Creating jobs has to be our number one priority in 2010," said the President.
Back in Washington, democrats echoed that. "Jobs, jobs and jobs," said democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York.
But democrats are still pushing health care reform, vowing to crash gates and jump fences to make it happen.
"If that doesn't work we'll parachute in, but we're going to get health care reform passed for the American people," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.
If it sounds, after the State of The Union, like the same Obama agenda, it is.
"Last night, he didn't reinvent himself," said Illinois democratic Senator Dick Durbin. Republicans agree and complained.
"There was nothing last night in the president's speech to indicate that there was any willingness to sit down and work together," said House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio.
Barack Obama admits he's back in the campaign mode fighting he says for working folks.
"That's why I ran for the state senate, that's why I ran for the U.S. Senate, that's why I ran for president, to fight for people here in Tampa and people here in Florida," said the President.
Obama 2010, sounding a lot like Obama 2008.