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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.
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Liberals evidently need to read Bob Woodwards new book, Obama is the one that alienated Republicans from the start, as well as Conservative Democrats.
Stop making excuses for Obama, he has failed, he had the first Two years to try and fix the economy. He did not!
Democrat Senator BOB Kerry (he served in Vietnam)
Said this today about OBAMA CARE...
Kiss you company health plans good bye...
Another gift to you from team OBAMA
Clinton was president in 93 and 1st trade center bombing and why did we go into Boznia? Funny he had time to do all this while he has someone hiding under his desk in the oval office. Pathetic. Oh yea, he was impeached as well. Nice role model.
Supportng Obama is rewarding INCOMPETENCE!
That's 100% Correct "old dog 61"...
You have got to be kidding me....
A bright spot in this jobs report?
Jobs created far less than population growth, and 368,000 drop out of the workforce entirely, and there is a bright spot?
Is this bright spot the same claim as the entire claim of the democratic convention - it could be worse, so lighten up and give us another shot?
The pressure of trying to get re-elected has gotten the better of President Obama - he is now not just arrogant, he is completely deluded.
Compared to you Chris Matthews, Clinton is smart. You and Biden seem to have attended the same school.
Its still a pig Barak
Wah,wah,wah...I just talked to my daughter in uber-liberal Seattle-land, one of obama's favorite cashcow spots and she just announced that she and her peers are voting for.....ROMNEY!!! I asked her why and she said that it has gone waaay past social issues and now the realization is hitting her and her group of 20somethings that in 4 years there won't be ANY money left for social engineering or for all the pet projects they idealized through obama.
There are a lot of very disloyal Republicans in these comments. The official Republican policy and practice is to not create jobs. Get with the program.
Obama has had a run of 29 straight months defying Republicans by being pro-jobs, and seems to enjoy it. Over 4 million people have suffered new jobs.
Bill Clinton's meddling in the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 and pushing through the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. Then Obama used those two laws to push his agenda on the banks through Acorn. Through intimidation Obama and Acorn extorted billions of dollars from the banks.
I think GOPers, Teabots, and neocons sense they are losing. I've never seen this much mud slung at the wall for so little of it to stick. But its still 60 days until the election. A lot can chance in two months ~ for the better or the worse ~ on both sides. I still wonder how many Ron Paul write-in votes will be denied Romney-Ryan?
If there is an economic "bright spot", and I doubt it very much, it cannot be attributed to the policies and programs of Obama. He had nothing whatsoever to do with it. Obama is a total and abysmal failure, an incompetent and unqualified candidate for re-election based on his four years of mistakes, wrong turns, and total blatant lies time and again. I can find no attribute or quality that would cause me to choose Obama over any candidate possible to run against him, and you can put any name you want to fill in the blank. For Obama is a total blank, a non-entity who has caused more damage to this country than any enemy we have ever had. The only possible reason to support him is if he provides total entitlements and free stuff to lazy-assed people who don't want to or who will not work for a living. If he has his way that will turn out to be more than half of all citizens of the US. What a damned pitiful shame.
History will differ with you. The "abysmal failure" was and is George Bush, Jr. A man who, as President Obama says (and I agree with), never met a challenge he didn't meet with a tax cut. Where did that get us? Truth be told, all Bush's tax cuts are still in effect these years of Obama's administration.
If Barack Obama has a weakness apparent in his leadership as President, it's that he was so absolutely sure that he could bring cooperation and bipartianship to the Congress. What he didn't realize is that it takes two sides equally willing. No matter how committed he may be to it, he can't make another committed to it. And that means hard ball. Are the Democrats capable of it? I'm not sure they are. At least not so far.
I will never forget losing my job end of January 2009. Do I blame Barack Obama for it? No. My sister lost her job and my brother in law. Was it because of their own incompetence? No. They'd both worked in their respective organizations for a number of years. It was "downsizing." Financial pressure of a very weak, gasping economy.
The Republicans were given a robust, healthy economy with a nice surplus and what did they do? Gave tax cuts and entered into unfunded wars. Tax cuts at a time of war is an unworthy, low, unpatriotic action. I will not forget this.
I listen to the Republican friends I have talking about "how hard they worked" how they "did it on their own" etc., and, frankly, it speaks to shallowness. They most certainly did not do it "on their own." They had a lot of help. A lot of help. Yet, when success is theirs, they think of only one thing. Tax cuts. Oh yeah. And telling other people how to live their personal lives.
I see improvement under Barack Obama. I see a commitment, more of a commitment than I've ever seen under a Republican to shared sacrifice, duty to fairness and country, than I see from the other party. I also see in Barack a man who has been there. Who truly gets it. Where I've been. The struggles of the poor. Not a hand out to them, but a hand up. That we're in this together. What he's been missing is a true partner/friend in the Republicans. They can't afford to be friends with a Democrat, can't afford to put country first because they are too interested in keeping the money "they got on their own" with "no help from anyone."
So Obama's biggest accomplishment is to blame Bush for all that's wrong.
All that's wrong can't be blamed on the former President. Just what is rightfully his after eight years of failed leadership. What's disturbing now is the number of Republcans who can't admit the truth.
Just like it took Barack Obama and the Democrats to "catch Bin Laden" it's taking Barack Obama and the Democrats to "turn this ship around." it's just a huge, delapidated ship we're turning around and it's taking some time. I'm a patient woman. At least we're moving in the right direction...in spite of the best,committed efforts of Republicans to facilitate failure.
transister- Please enlighten us on all the DAMAGE that President Obama has inflicted on us.
Did President Obama start two wars, torture people and with that embolden our enemies? Deficit's don't matter~ Dick Cheney!
No, he came in and is trying to clean up the Republican mess, and passed affordable health care for millions of people!
If you can't see it then it would be a waste of time to explain it to you.
I'm really proud of Barack, basically. I've decided to rescind my commitment of no campaign contributions this election cycle. Even though I was very disappointed that he did not adhere to his 2008 commitment to run in the general election on public financing, I recognize in 2012 that we are in a fight for the future of our country. I consider the alternative leadership, consider that Romney is so incredibly well funded and I have to financially support the leader of my choice, the leader I trust and believe in, and that is Barack Obama. There is too much at stake to not contribute based on a disagreement of the past.
Obama/Biden 2012!!!!
You seem to be suffering from battered voter syndrome.
If you want to blame Barack Obama for the economic conditions we're going through now, that's your right. I just know better.
"FORWARD" the Communist Publications are ALL named forward - FACT !!
Sorry Mr. President but I have been without a job for 4 years and my brother hung himself before he lost his job the next day. There is no bright spot. My vote and my wifes vote will go Romney/Ryan 2012 we want to try something different.
Obama and the Democrats... Over promise, under perform and blame everyone else.
The demorats and especially the liberal nuts expect Obama to get a real bounce from the convention because of his speech! Yes, he will get a bounce alright and that will right out the door of the White House! The great orator and rockstar of all liberals and some demorats who feel he walks on water are sold on his bill of goods. However, the majority of Americans who did not vote for him as well as those who did have heard the same old BS for almost 4 years!!
The gift of gab does not bring jobs and improve our economy and reduce the massive debt. Barry and Biden can get up and give the best speech every heard in a lifetime and many will eat it up because they really believe the loser! He can talk and talk but he has no solutions to our serious problems!
We want leadership to give us the solutions and Obama is not the one to do it! He is a suit with a teleprompter and many verbs and adjectives but no substance!
It is time to turn him, Jarrett his mentor, and BFD Biden out to pasture! Go back to Chicago and get with Rezko and work some housing deals. Bring Rahm in on the deals as well because he will not be a mayor soon. The people of Chicago are tired of him, and the people of the country are tired of Barry!!
Voodkokk- You can't explain it to me, because there is nothing to explain, all the damage has been inflicted by the GOP/baggers.
President is guilty of a couple of things, being naive thinking that the GOP/baggers would put partisan politics aside and work with him and fellow democrat's for the good of the country.
#2 Not talking enough to the American people, by not calling out the republicans, every time they filibustered, or blocked a up or down vote.
But the next four years, will be great! Romney where are your tax returns?
Obama/Biden 2012 forward not back
Wow - and Obama's dad talked to him about taking responsibility. Our economy under Obumbo has tanked in every category. More poor people, less income, more unemployed, more debt, and you loons still support him. My God....
Democrats controlled Congress the last two years of Bush's term. Sounds like they own this mess.
Let's summarize Obama's plan going forward. Educate more students so more graduate without a job (more spending), then increase construction job with more spending. Are most of the 23 million people unemployed in construction? Increase manufacturing so more products are produced that no one can afford to buy..... Middle class economics and you people believe this bs. Only way to improve the economy is to free up the enterprise system by lowing corporate taxes (Clinton did) and de-regulation (Clinto did).
Unemployment 15% to 21 % are the facts.
Say bye ,Bye Obama.. America has seen all it wants.
It's Romney/Ryan time.
fed- What were the tax rates under Clinton and Obama?
I notice you completely leave out 8 years of Bush, just jump right to another DEMOCRAT, wow you people were in a coma for 8 loooonnnnnggggg years.
Sharky- Please tell the military to quit saying forward march, quick! LOL
All sharky and his ilk can say is go back, go back, go back. I didn't know you could goose step backwards but he's doing it. He's a good "little" nazi.
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! If fifty million people were to give a hundred dollars to pay off mortgages it would help the people who need it and would stimulate the economy to.
The feds could use twenty five billion dollars to pay off peoples mortgages who are under water then have them pay back the money interest free at half what they paid before to be used to help others who need the help to recover.
I believe thats how the mafia started, have a poor guy learn how to take others money and there will be no end to the exploitation.
Oh wait sorry, thats how the liberal party started, not the mob.
Shows you the power our government has , and the things they could do with our money if they chose to stop wasting it on bridges to no where , 5 guys to throw 2 shovels of asphalt in a pot hole, shrimp tread mills..
We need to cut all government spending by 10 % .. and pay this on our debt... Our futures depend on regaining control of government spending.. All government spending by 10%.
Tell ya what Les, raise taxes on the wealthy and the corporations [many of which rake in BILLIONS while paying ZERO taxes] by 10% as well and you've got yourself a deal.
What are we going to do Leroy .. Lets lower all these corporations, stock holders and bankers profits and we can watch them raise prices to offset their tax increases... Honestly i wish i knew of some way to stop the continually increases in groceries, fuel , electricity.. I feel with a degree of confidence that the answer is not to increase taxes on anyone.. We must encourages everyone to reinvest their profits and gain control of govt. waste.. My more radical approach is a 20% flat tax rate . We can take all the unnecessary IRS folks and reemployee them to stop medicare and medicade fraud..
A 20% flat tax rate with no loopholes would increase the actual tax they pay by at least 10 percent or even more. Sure, sounds good to me. We need to cut back spending on what we can [I'd suggest starting with military cuts but not from veterans benefits] AND increase revenue to get out of this mess. Any economist will tell you this.
NBC will do anything to make it sound like there really is a bright spot for Obama. Where the helx is it. America knows this idiot doesn't have a clue about what he is doing.
See ya! Obama.
Anyone who voted for the failed President George W. Bush, the President who steered us into the ditch, is not qualified to discuss what constitutes an idiot.
If you support Oboner your one so case closed.
lucky, only a loser "likes" his own comments.
The only bright spot for Obama is the one you would see if you look directly into one of his ears.
The light coming through from the ear on the other side would be very bright indeed.
All we know about Obama is he is an anti-American socialist who has a single agenda dedicated to reducing this nation to a second class socialistic society. The acts related to stimulus packages, bailouts and the healthcare program all represent the intrusion of big government into the free enterprise private sector of our democracy and eventually makes the naive and ignorant completely at the mercy of the federal government. This is the dream of Barack Obama.