E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
President Barack Obama greets supporters Friday during a campaign event at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, N.H.
President Barack Obama traveled to Portsmouth, N.H., looking to maintain the momentum from his Thursday night Democratic convention address despite a disappointing jobs report released Friday morning.
Trying not to put too much of a damper on the event – his first since his convention prime-time acceptance speech -- the president sought to put a positive light on the jobs report, which showed a lower-than-expected 96,000 jobs created in August and an 8.1 percent unemployment rate.
“Today we learned that after losing around 800,000 jobs a month when I took office, business once again added jobs for the 30th month in a row,” he told the 6,000-person crowd at the Strawbery Banke Museum.
“But that's not good enough,” he continued. “We need to create more jobs faster. We need to fill the hole left by this recession faster. We need to come out of this crisis stronger than when we went in.”
He spent much of the rest of his speech hitting similar notes as he did Thursday night – explaining in broad, aspirational language his goals for a second term, including adding a million jobs over the next four years; cutting oil imports in half by 2020; improving access to education and overhauling the tax code.
He also, as he did Thursday night, ridiculed Republicans for what he said was a plan that relied solely on tax cuts for the wealthy intended to encourage economic growth among lower-income people.
“All they've got to offer is the same prescriptions that they've had for the last 30 years: tax cuts, tax cuts, gut some regulations -- oh, and more tax cuts,” he said. “Tax cuts when times are good, tax cuts when times are bad, tax cuts to help you lose a few extra pounds -- (laughter) – tax cuts to improve your love life -- I -- it'll cure anything, according to them,” he joked.
It was a similar line to one he used Thursday night, when he also characterized Republicans as depending on tax cuts as a cure-all.
“Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations and call me in the morning,” he joked at the Time Warner Cable arena in Charlotte, N.C., at the convention.
On the flight from Charlotte to Portsmouth, White House senior adviser David Plouffe downplayed any sort of positive effect the convention would have on the president’s standing in the polls.
“We come out of the convention with momentum. That doesn't mean the race is going to change significantly. But we think that we come out of here with some momentum in terms of putting together the electoral picture,” he told reporters traveling on the president’s plane.
Obama went on to Iowa City, Iowa, where he was to address students at the University of Iowa. He will then travel to St. Petersburg, Fla., where on Saturday he will kick off a two-day bus tour.
Leave a Comment:
The US was losing 800,000 jobs a month when Obama took office, and President Obama has turned that around into an average gain of 200,000 jobs a month for the entire time he was in office.
Unemployment went down 0.2% last month, but the conservatively biased media says this is somehow bad news!
Keep smoking that Obama stuff. It makes you a genius.
It makes America's decision easy in Nov. 2012.
Romney/Ryan. Leaders! Not Followers.
The "keep smoking" crap is getting old too. didn't work for you last time either.
Harbinger,
Looks like you are clearly an example of what is wrong with the American education system. Your new math just doesn't add up.
For August 2012 the numbers are:
Jobs Created: 96,000
First time unemployment claims: 1,400,000 (350,000 1st time claims per week for 4 weeks, and that 350K figure is being generous)
People leaving the work force: 350,000
NET RESULT is around 1,650,000 LESS working people than at the end of July 2012.
On the bright side, I hear that Obama has some shovel-ready jobs available for intellectual giants like yourself.
.2% of the country stopped filing for unemployment, yea thats great news idiot.
Harbinger:
What is it your limited mentality does not understand about almost 200,000 giving up trying to find work? The percentage is down .2% only because the workforce has shrunk by the 200,000 number. Are all you liberal loons this ignorant?
Correction: The number is 350,000 and not 200,000 as previously noted. Barry would love that number.
People drop out of the workforce every month.
Republicans act like this is something new because their FOX overlords told them to.
The only bright spot I seen in Obama speech is that he will be gone in Nov. 2012.
He doesn't have a plan and never did but he wants 4 more years.
America has already decided to send the thug back to Chicago.
If you see a bright spot in 23 million people out of work under Obama you could only be a brain dead looney Liberal.
You mean under a Republican obstructionist Congress - then I'd agree with you!
In looking at the picture looks like a lot college age people on a Friday -- maybe if you have never held full time job for at least a year? (paid taxes) you should not be able to vote? With only 1 in 2 finding work you would think they would have a clue.
This is a bright spot? So many people dropped out of the job market that the unemployment rate went down? Yikes.
Now there's a record to be proud of.
At this rate unemployment would be at ZERO percent by the end of a second Obama term....BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD HAVE A JOB ANYMORE AND THEY WOULD HAVE ALL LEFT THE LABOR FORCE!
Upside down liberal loon logic, supported by the liberal media. The 'crats are in the straw grasping phase sinking in their own cesspool of lies and unfilled promises.
Will sombody tell me how you grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out without no money ?
Les, let's start with the fact that the middle class spends money...follow me now. They earn money and spend money. Large numbers of people able to afford to SPEND. In order to do that the middle class must be STRONG AND IT MUST BE SUPPORTED AND IT MUST BE FED. Not just droppings, not taxed to death, but must be supported fully. It cannot be dependent on the the top 1% or so who really make up very little of the population and actually spend very little.
What we have right now is an emerging global middle class. Emerging markets reaping great profits while our own middle class founders. And not just in jobs and wages but as consumers. China is nipping at our heels. It's about income distribution. Who's side do you think Romney is on? Yours and the American middle class? Who's side do you think George Bush was on with his "deregulation?
Just don't assume that the emerging middle class will share your values. The only party I heard say the words "made in America" in this last political campaign convention cycle were Democrats.
The lower class needs to ban together and start taking over their own futures. If 5 thousand people would pool a hundred dollars each month they could raise five hundred thousand dollars the first month. In two months they could control a million dollars. This would allow them to open a business or other investments! After one year they would have quite a bit of cash flow to go on to bigger things or just be able to buy land or fast food restaurants etc. It would be better than what they are doing now!
Obama has gone through 29 golf caddies in 29 months? 29 new jobs in 29 months! Joe, please tell me what corner we have turned?
People, does it make you feel good to throw out all this negativity?
Realize, not one Republican nor one Democrat will change sides from this point on...so you are wasting valuable time...most of it during the day on your bossed dime.
The smart Independents are waiting until after the last debate to make up their mind and you will not sway them.
Use this valuable time to research your own information and determine which man is more capable of...
1. Creating an atmosphere where employers will start hiring again . . . if they see let's say that Obama gets 4 more, then do you think they will continue to hurt their potential profits and customer base to not hire, just to get back at Obama?
2. Providing healthcare that is cost effective for everyone - there should be no American left behind on taking care of their health.
3. End these useless wars and spend those trillions on paying down the deficit.
4. Continue to show strength to our enemies that we will hunt you down and drone your sorry ass.
5. Protect the futures of our family legacies for generations to come with better educational opportunities for everyone.
Victoria ,, I agree with you on the middle class spending money .. Only one fallacy to this line of thought.. Most middle class people work for someone much more wealthy than they themselves are. And thus receive their salaries based on how well these more wealthy people are doing financially... If we by intention or by accident take too much from these wealthy folks, they will stop spending., stop donating to charities. They will sit on their money and will only invest in sure things or not at all. I dont know what the solutions are . I myself by President Obama's definition would be considered upper middle class .. I pay over 60k in income taxes each year.. I do believe i pay my share. I dont feel selfish , i dont feel guilty and i am not ashamed of my income .. I have worked many many years when 30k was a lot of money and didnt begrudge anyone for making more... I do begrudge people standing around waiting on a check who are unwilling to work..
I lost my job under Bush. Not actually working for someone else but as a small business, self-employed person. I admit I was small. I didn't mind it. I lived in my means and it was worth it. I had joy. Now I have "a job" for someone else. I hate it. I should be happy. I have a regular check, I have health insurance...but I hate it. Every day I dread getting up and going to work. I am training for a new field where I can be my own (small business) boss again.
I'm afraid of Romney. He's just out for the top dogs.
Victoria ..i know exactally what your talking about and good luck..
Ditto.
Victoriafrom miami
I was downsized 4 times and got to spend some years being homeless over a 23 year period. The last two jobs I had didn't bay enough to put a roof over my head even though I worked 48 hours a week. They were both classified as part time employment so their were no benefits.
I don't want to sound smart ass, but be glad you have a job and have the means to get self employed again because I can tell you from experience, I wouldn't wish what I've been through on my worse emeny.
what happened: I appreciate the attitude check. I worry everyday that folks at work might pick up on my secret thoughts/dreams in some way. I pray every day for strength to keep going. It's caused me to double down on "volunteering" and stuff like that. Today I actually told my boss what I think is causing problems, what's wrong with the company. Not in those words... just shared my thoughts. It'll be what it'll be...however I'll heed your wise advice. But I won't live in fear. I beieve I'll be okay as long as I continue to work my ass off. And if I end up as a desk clerk at some run down motel on the beach...well...that's the price of freedom. I'll still be smiling.
I don't know you or your spending habits but I can tell you that a lot of things you buy you really don't need. Learned that the hard way.
You can save for you independence from a job you don't like if you watch your spending. The pennies reality do add up without much too much effort.
Good luck and I hope you find the happiness you seek.
How true is that? Right now I'm supporting myself, my dad and two little dogs. Plus a grown, working son who occasionally needs help. He works but occasionally can't make it work. I don't believe in loaning money. If you can't give it, don't part with it.
You are a kind and wise person. I wish only good things for you.
Oh those laughable libs! 4 times as many people left the job market altogether than those who actually got jobs. At the rate Obama is going, we'll have a 0% unemployment rate in no time!!
You are a fool.
I've seen enough of your verbal diarrhea on this site to know you are at the head of the class as far as a foolish laughable lib.
Obama can't sleep at night, 'cause he's worried that someone, somewhere, is making a profit ...
WOW! The left losers are out and you can tell by their posts...they are running VERY SCARED! Fiesty Red Head, Forrest Gump, to quote the movie,about you,both,STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES! IT IS UNBELIEVABLE that with a failed record at most things Obama's done, coupled with his gross incompetence,the fact that the first two years were with a lock on both houses of congress,ANYONE wants to allow him anymore time to further prove his stupidity and incompetence. YOU parasitic microbes, are only wanting to destroy our country!!!!!!! I pray NONE of you have or EVER WILL HAVE children.... your DNA NEED NOT BE SPREAD any further!... it would be the same as allowing Polio to spread!
Another "likes his own comments" @!$%#. I liked you too so you wouldn't be such a fool.
Obama is duplicating his broad brush, non specific rhetoric of 2008 related to creating jobs, however, just as did then there is no reference as to exactly what will be required to facilitate the creation of jobs. In addition, as a left wing liberal his plan, if he ever develops one, will include more federal debt in the true tradition of the spend and tax followed by tax and spend liberals. This song and dance has always failed as the private sector with free enterprise as the basis is the only successful method of creating real sustainable jobs.
HIs tax reform that he neve got implement is supposed to created jobs or that what his TV?Internet ad are claiming.
While Obama may think he looks like JFK or FDR (as his speech insinuates tonight) when he looks in the mirror....what he really looks like Is Jimmy Carter. Same high unemployment, same increased government spending, same big government failed solutions, same groveling to Iran, same FAILED PRESIDENCY. Barack Obama is Jimmy Carter part 2...and America can not AFFORD ANOTHER FOUR YEARS OF A FAILED PRESIDENT!
"Barack Obama is..."
I would appreciate if you righties would start using the new spelling of the President's first name: B-a-r-o-c-k, because Obama ROCKS! Thank-you.
leroy brown
Only when you lefties start pronouncing it correctly.
O- bum-a, not O-bam-a as in Osama
How dumb can these Republicans be? Romney wants to lower taxes and reduce the regulatory burdens establishing an atmosphere that results in growth in private sector jobs. Don't they know that jobs come from government funding and good paying jobs come from public unions? We can raise all the revenue we need by borrowing money from China. Heck, all we need to do is print more money, we don't need to concern our self with a balanced budget. The world has no choice but to keep the dollar strong regardless of how flooded the market is.
It will be painful as we continue to eliminate private sector jobs and we need Democratic control of Congress to pass funding for increased deficits and to create more government jobs. Just reelecting Obama is not enough, we need control of Congress too. We were on the right track until the Republicans took the House in 2010. We need it back!!!!
Truly astounding is that Democrats don't even know that the democrats controlled congress when all of Bush's failures occurred. Bush couldn't have done it without their support.
What's even more astounding is the fact that they don't know that adding the summer hiring 4 times and adding the holiday hiring 3 into your claimed job creation numbers is deceitful.
If you compared the number of full time jobs added to the job market compared against the number of full time jobs lost, Obama would have negative job numbers.
All one has to do to see what condition the job market is going in is to know this.
GM has announced its building its new manufacturing plants in China.
Mazda shut down it American manufacture plant.
Wells Fargo announced its already exporting it jobs to India.
The US postal services postponed laying off any more workers until after the election at Obama's request.
Insurance Companies and Banks have already announced they are making plans to export their customer service and computer operations jobs.
Then all you have to do is drive around your area and take notice at how many businesses have closed there doors for good.
But Obama does have something to brag about. He set a new American record. A record high 46.37 million American are receiving food stamps. Unlike Obama's Nobel Peace Prize which he said he neither earned nor deserved, he should be proud of this new record. He worked hard and deserves the credit for achieving it.
Stay the course America, Obama proclains, stay the course. His next goal is to break his own record.
You are a liar. Republicans controlled Congress the vast majority of Bush's time in office - fully six years of Bush's eight year tenure. What a rubber stamping bunch of nitwits.
VictoriafromMiami
2007 through 2010 The democrats controlled congress. 2 years for Bush and two years for Obama and what occurred during those 4 years. Bailouts, stimulus, and tax cuts to the rich which all failed to grow the economy.
The national debt increased by $5.1 trillion in 8 years of Bush.
The national debt increased by $5.9 trillion in 3.75 years of Obama.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to add two and two together to get four.
Democrats controlled Congress two years (2007-2008) of Bush's eight years in office. Idiot.
No name calling, please
2007 & 2008 is when all the bailouts, stimulus and took place. The tax cuts to the rich occurred before 2007
2009 & 2010 the bailouts, stimulus were continued and the tax cut to the rich were extended.
The AIG ponzy scheme that brought our economy to its knees was in 2007.
Talk about lies.......
Has anyone googled that republican liar
Debbie Wasserman ??
That person was caught how many times
in the last month on tape and on TV and
won't back down when they show her the video
of her doing it.
Now the important questions? Did the fluke chic
really suffer a belt buckle concussion from Bill C.
And is it Claire McCaskill or Fisted Dead Heads
face imprint on the back of Barry's trousers?
Start taking you medication. Dear Debbie is a communist, sorry, democrat, so get your facts right bozo. And she is a liar, you got that right.
There is a bright spot in the jobs report. Some white folks found a job. The dark spot is that lots of Black folks lost jobs. The Black folks would like to thank Obama for screwing them.
Its been reported that the African American churches are organizing to oppose Obama in November for two reasons.
1. African American are worse off under Obama than they were under Bush.
2. Obama's same sex marriage stand.
He's losing a lot of votes, a lot of votes from this communtiy. Obama is losing alot of middle class votes for his failure to implement his job creating tax reform by extending the tac ust to the rich for two years.
Obama is asking people to stay the course and support him, but the reality is that he hasn't done anything that would have people supporting him.
The more I read about the corporate world making huge profits but NOT hiring, one word comes to mind, G-R-E-E-D! Just like their GOP partners, they want to maximize profits, pay less taxes, keep wages and salaries down, cut or eliminate health and other benefits, eliminate tax deductions that many or most middle class families enjoy(oh, you don't about this, you say???), AND through all of this, BE GRATEFUL to the corporations for the economic crumbs they might throw to us. Sounds like economic slavery to me. While the hierarchy of the GOP are producing ads to manipulate your minds to hate others, esp people of color, 'they are playing you.' Oh no; watch what happens if R/R GOP are elected.
Let's get taxes back where they were under Clinton. The country was making money and Republicans still had too much time on their hands.
I love when people spew out the their fact, or links.. Okay so here is my turn.
http://defeatobama.us/abuses.shtml
Fact check them.. Get back to me on it.
or you can fact check this also.
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2011/06/president-barack-obamas-complete-list.html
To the republicans
You can block him, You can try and stop him,You can mock him and even try to lock him, but in the end truth and endurance will prevail. What God puts together can NO man tear apart. Tear-(to pull apart with force)
Dear President Obama,
I want to thankyou personally for sending myself and my daughter to college as well as making a way for us to be employed.We could have not achieved either of these things without your help.You are truly a wonderful President and you are for all of the people not just some of the people. I am so proud to say that you are first an exceptable human being second a great husband and father and third a wonderful and strong leader,thank God that you are not a puppet on a string like some of our past presidents have been. You know just a popular name or just another pretty face with hardly anything up stairs.
President Obama, please keep doing what you are doing. My daughter and I can hardly wait to vote once again in order to put you back into office for 4 MORE YEARS!!!!!and in the mean time don't worry about the negative media the lies by Mitt Rommey and others as well as the spin on all of the good things that you are doing for the United States of America.
The part of America that has half a brain in their heads know not to believe what comes out of their mouths because as we all know the republicans from day one were going to go agaist any and every thing that you tried to accomplish in order to make you look like a failed president. However most of us see through their devious plotting for you to become a one time president and it is not now not ever going to work. You are going to be elected for four more years because we still need you. God bless America and God bless you.
Maybe the haters will just tire themselves out.
You may run into another posting of mine,it seem to have disappeared in the internet some where over the rainbow, almost as if it were magic. Perhaps it will re-appear the same way some where eles.
How much do you owe in student loans and are you paying them back?
Are you talking about the Second Coming?
What ?
Well, you worthless piece of excrement...you got 60 days to find about 3 million jobs. Good luck. I'm guessing that you'll be lucky to come up with 3% of this total. Been nice knowing you...butt wipe!!!
What does the headline, "we need to more jobs" mean?
Don't know who the bigger idiot is. Obama or the Headline Editor at msnbc!