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Subscribe to RSSElkhart four years later … State of Union stronger, but not as strong as it could be … It’s still the economy … Obama under 50% in latest polls … Dems plan to ‘win’ the sequester … Bipartisan gun deal? … Breannan pressed, but could teach Hagel a thing or two … Dempsey ‘surprised’ Clinton didn’t know about Benghazi cable.
Published 9:45 a.m. ET -- *** Elkhart (and America) four years later: Exactly four years ago tomorrow, President Barack Obama -- who had just been sworn in for his first term -- traveled to Elkhart, Ind., to sell his economic stimulus. At the time, Elkhart had a sky-high unemployment rate(19.4% as of Feb. 2009) due in large part to the city’s reliance on the manufacturing industry (especially the making of recreation vehicles). “I promised you back then [in 2008] that if elected, I'd do everything I could to help this community recover, and that's why I came back today, because I intend to keep my promise,” Obama said. Because of that promise, NBCNews.com began a series called “The Elkhart Project” chronicling the city’s recovery. Four years later, with Obama set to deliver his latest State of the Union address on Tuesday, Elkhart is pretty much the story of America: Things are better, but not back to where they were before the economy crashed in 2008. Elkhart’s unemployment rate is now 9.3%, down significantly from its peak in ’09, but below the state (8.2%) and national average (7.9%). “We’re definitely not where we want to be, but we have certainly rebounded from where we were,” said Barkley Garrett, the city’s economic development director. “All in all, considering where we were, we are doing well. But we have a long way to go.”
Aug. 5, 2009 (archival video): NBC's Chuck Todd poses questions to President Obama about the economic realities that most Americans, particularly those in economically hard-hit Elkhart, are facing during the recession. President Obama spoke at Wakarusa, Indiana announcing federal grants to support hybrid RV and pick-up manufacturers.
*** The State of the Union is stronger -- but not as strong as it could be: Speaking in Elkhart four years ago, the president acknowledged that full economic recovery would take time. “Even with this plan, the road ahead won’t be easy. This crisis has been a long time in the making; we’re not going to turn it around overnight,” he said. “Recovery will likely be measured in years, not weeks or months.” We now begin Year Five of America’s road to recovery. The state of the union -- at least economically -- is stronger than it was four years ago. But it also would be a stretch to say it’s as strong as it could be.
*** It’s still the economy: Despite the focus on guns and immigration, the economy remains the biggest story. And with analysts believing unemployment will remain in the mid-7% range into next year, the philosophical fiscal divide in Washington, mirrored across the world, will continue. There’s been no bridging the conservative view that austerity measures/spending cuts, especially in the public sector, to reduce the debt will lead to growth and the liberal view that more temporary deficit spending is necessary to provide support to a fragile economy -- and that those public-sector cuts are a big part of what's holding the economy back.
*** Not great news for Obama in latest polls: The president’s approval rating in a round of polls after his reelection showed Obama over 50%. Well, this morning the president’s approval is under 50% in both a new FOX poll (49%) and Quinnipiac poll (46%). The FOX poll also shows pessimism continues to reign.
*** Democrats plan to “win” sequester: Part of Obama’s State of the Union is going to be the sequester, Politico notes, and pushing for ending loopholes for the wealthiest, something Democrats believe they have broad support for: “Senate Democrats are digging in against Republican calls for deeper spending cuts by bringing out some of their favorite punching bags: corporate jets, Wall Street and Big Oil. With the automatic budget cuts in the sequester coming up next month, Democrats hope to vote on an alternative plan to raise taxes on some of their favorite boogeymen in hopes of shifting the blame when the GOP inevitably rejects it. … The Democratic public pressure campaign is expected to begin in earnest next week, starting with President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday and a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing expected Thursday at which senior administration officials will most likely sound the alarm that so-called sequestration cuts would devastate the economy. … According to sources familiar with the matter, Democrats are leaning toward a plan that would be split 50-50 between spending cuts and tax hikes, financed in large part by new taxes on corporate and wealthy taxpayers.”
*** Bipartisan gun deal emerging? Guns is also likely to be a topic, and AP reports that there’s a bipartisan private group that is aiming at forging a deal expanding background checks and working on mental health issues. AP: “A bipartisan quartet of senators, including two National Rifle Association members and two with ‘F’ ratings from the potent firearms lobby, are quietly trying to find a compromise on expanding the requirement for gun-sale background checks. … The senators' talks have included discussions about ways to encourage states to make more mental health records available to the national system and the types of transactions that might be exempted from background checks, such as sales among relatives or to those who have permits to carry concealed weapons, said people who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to describe the negotiations publicly.” The senators involved in the private group include Democrats’ No. 3 Chuck Schumer, Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Republicans Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Rep. Mark Kirk of Illinois. It’s significant that, once again, Schumer’s in the middle of this, positioning himself as a dealmaker. Makes us wonder if Harry Reid’s thinking about retiring before his re-elect in 2016…
*** Brennan pressed, but could show Chuck Hagel a thing or two: The confirmation hearing for John Brennan to become CIA director began with fireworks with Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein needing to shut it down and clear the room after five protests. Eight people were arrested outside. Brennan sparred with senators over drones, torture, leaks, and Benghazi. Some senators disagreed with him and pushed him, especially on interrogation. Some might not be happy with his "I don’t know what the truth is" answer, but he was ready, confident and unapologetic. He acquitted himself much better than Chuck Hagel, the president’s nominee to be Defense Secretary. It was a stark contrast. Jill Lawrence, writing under the headline “John Brennan Shows Hagel How It's Done,” called it “a startling 180-degree contrast.”
*** The debate over kill or capture: The Washington Post notes that Brennan was challenged on why “the number of drone strikes has soared while captures of terrorism suspects have dwindled to single digits” under President Obama. “I never believed it's better to kill a terrorist than to detain him,” Brennan said in an exchange with ranking member Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA). Still, the number of detainees has declined significantly, according to the Post. Is it because of better intelligence? Does it have to do with Obama wanting to avoid detainees? It’s an important question, but one no one with any knowledge is going to answer in public. (Brennan will go at it again in a closed classified hearing with the committee Tuesday.)
*** Dempsey ‘surprised’ Clinton didn’t know about Benghazi cable: Two pieces of news came out of the other hearing on the Hill yesterday before Armed Services with outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey: (1) Panetta and Dempsey said they agreed with a Hillary Clinton (State)-Gen. David Petraeus (CIA) plan to arm rebels in Syria, and (2) Dempsey said he was informed of the Benghazi cable requesting more security by the U.S. African Command, that he offered more help, but it was turned down. And then when asked how what he thought about Secretary of State Clinton testifying that she had no knowledge of the cable, he said, “I would call myself surprised that she didn’t.”
*** Obama acknowledges tension with Capitol Hill Democrats: At the House retreat yesterday, the president rallied Democrats about budget cuts and that he’s willing to fight for Democratic values in the court of public opinion with Republicans. “I have to tell you, if that's an argument that they want to have before the court of public opinion, that is an argument I'm more than willing to engage in,” he said to. But he also acknowledged tensions with Capitol Hill Democrats with this: "There will be times where you guys are mad at me, and I'll occasionally read about it." Today, Bill Clinton (10:00 am ET) and comedian Stephen Colbert (!!!) address the group.
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Leave a Comment:
not to mention you all screwed yourselves by buying all those foreign products...!!!!!!!!!!!
any idiot could of seen that coming...jobless americans!!!!!!!!!!!!
as your debt keeps climbing fast...
you are still ALLOWING them to ignore it...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
makes alot of sense people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you are the only one's who are getting screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the ONLY way your gonna take back your government and get the idiots to work for the american people is by taking the candy away from them...
the money and gifts they receive from everyone!!!!!!!!!!
if they truly work for the people, then the taxpayers should be the only one's that pay them!!!!!!!!!!!
you can start funding that with all the money you waste giving to other countries who HATE you!!!!!!!!!!!
It's all part of that progressive Bend Over....er I mean Lean Forward mantra......
Conservatism is dying, and, the Nation as a whole is moving more toward Progressivism!
Yes notice how well its working for our country? LOL
Just keep drinking that kool-aid there Buttercup......We WILL take our country back...by whatever means are necessary and you idiots will still be wondering what hit you.......I figure about 16 months before the new Independence Day arrives......
No one is taking this country anywhere. That kind of talk is why the Republicans will never hold the office of the President as long as they continue along crazy road.
"No one is taking this country anywhere."
Well I wouldn't say that Buttercup....The Empty Suit is doing a fine job of taking this country down the drain............
Time will tell.....tick...tick....tick.....
Truth = another nut job that believes anything he/she hears on the Rush limbo show.
Hey truth, all this DOOM an GLOOM. you better duck and hide buddy..
robert b from stlou
You have been reported.
for what posting to much quit crying dude
It's the liberal way.....I whine...therefore I'm important........
He must have disagreed with the left, therefor he gets reported.
You're in trouble now Bob......The new Hitler youth has turned you in......shades of 1939!!!
I hear they can take your birthday away........You should be scared.....you should be very scared.......
But you are completely safe if you don't have a US birth certificate.....
Why is the Obama backside kissing press not reporting daily progress on the budget and debt? Gun Control is a problem but what is it going to cost? Free pass for illegals what is going to be the cost? Etc..
Every new broadcast should start with the debt clock, and what progress or lack of progress has taken place on the Budget, Debt Ceiling, Spending cuts, and New Spending.
Example: The White House signed another executive order to give pay raises costing $XXXXXXX, Congress nothing to report, Senate nothing to report because they will not bring items to the floor for a vote.
Everyone knew for over a year the so called cliff was coming at the first of the year yet nothing was done yet these clowns still got paid and the media let in slide.
94% of the national debt belongs to just 3 people, Reagan, Bush and Bush-Cheney
Obama needs to create some debt in order to match these guys.
Obama has actually been pretty stingy about creating new debt.
http://reaganbushdebt.org/CalculationDetails.aspx
Job1, don't worry, unfortunately, he will get there. Funny how you compare 4 years of this president with 20 years of his predecessors but whatever it takes to make your point.
http://blog.heritage.org/2011/10/05/in-pictures-debt-by-president-obama-leads-the-pack/
Need to stop towing the party line and hold everyone accountable as a whole otherwise your being played as a fool that has the right to vote between between dumb and dumber.
Both parties created the so called cliff at the end of the year and both parties walked away using the same tag line "it not as bad as it could have been" as if they saved us from ourselves. I believe those increased taxes being taken out of you paycheck does not exclude either party so why are you playing their game?
more liberal lies from you job1
Now looking at the debt increases- 40% of our debt occurred under OBAMA
Reagan- the debt increased by 1.49 trillion and the SS debt had a lot to do with that
Bush1- the debt increased by 1.48 Trillion and the Gulf War played a large role in that increase in debt
Clinton- the debt increased by only 1.42 Trillion thanks to the Gingrich House making Clinton agree to the Balanced Budget Amendment and the leap in capital gains tax revenues after the Republican Capital Gains tax cut in 1997
Bush2- the debt increased by 4.2 Trillion with 25% of that coming as a result of the Fy2008 budget increase by Reid and Pelosi
Obama- More debt increase than any president and more than the first 43 presidents combined- The Democrats refused to pass a budget in 2008 while Bush was still president so that budget was signed by Obama- Obama has increased the debt now over 7 Trillion approaching 8 trillion and by the end of his 2nd term the debt will be larger for his 8 years than all of US History before him.
Yeah well, Regan and Bush1 didn't became president in the middle of Economic meltdown.
Do you even know what happen in 2008 Larry. I mean where were u around October 2008. Didn't you see what all took place or do you live in some right wing cave away from civilization.
You continue to blame Obama for spending and debt. I mean hell, was Obama just suppose to do nothing and let the Economy recover on its on.
Total BS According to FACT check.org you Lied again Larry. Obama did not increase the debt by 7 or 8 trillion. Damn it you lying little fool. here is my source to point out that out right lie you posted (www.factcheck.org/2012/02/dueling-debt-deceptions)
You cannot spend your way out of a recession. Govt has NO wealth, no income of it's own. It only can spend what it first TAKES out of the economy.
Secondly, I don't use fact check- I use the US treasury which are the official numbers
US debt 1/20/09 10,626,877,048,913.08
US debt 2/6/13 16,487,564,297,892.03
6 Trillion since Obama took office- However, Congress refused to pass a budget while Bush was still in office- the 2009 budget was signed by Obama -
US debt September 30, 2008 which was the last day of a Bush budget
10,024,724,896,912.49
So the debt has increased by 6.5 trillion dollars since Bush controlled the budget
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/NPGateway
Larry seems some are still buying Obamas story you can spend you way out of debt. For those Obama fans that pay taxes I hope your happy with the pay cut you took this year.
Progressives = focus all energy into selfish initiatives while ignoring stuff that actually matters
Conservatism is dying, and, the Nation as a whole is moving more toward Progressivism!
And how well is that working out for us?
Whats progressive about Progressivism? Special Interest groups bullying anyone who doesn't 100% agree with them? We are a country divided under Obama with people that think the government owes them something. What happened to listening to this famous Dem? My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. -JFK
Who in the hell dub liberals as progressives? I would think narcissists would fit better?
Actually, the racist hillbillies have divided our country. If the Republicans run the same type of hard right candidate in 2016 for President, they will lose. The same goes for 2020 and 2024.
The Crazy Conservatism is dead. Period!
It's all part of the bend over....I mean lean forward liberal mantra
That a way job...when you can't win an argument......throw a racial slur....another typical liberal tactic......you people are so predictable.......
Really, because there are soooooo many hillbillies in this country right. Come to think of it how come you can call them hillbillies? Wouldn't your liberal brethren consider that taboo sort of like calling a homosexual a "fag." Maybe you should reconsider your language to something like "people of the hills named Bill" to be politically correct?
Job1, your dumber than Feisty and Pigotry combined. Oh wait, they are the same person.
Feisty, Pigotry and I are higher educated Center Left Progressives, and it’s in our DNA to work for a living pay our taxes and help those in need. However, regional break down studies have data showing many so-called right wing folks as less educated in which they have been known to stay on some form of welfare/public assistance for years over and over again.
So, you should act you age and not your party!
I can't believe you would actually post that.....Your elitist is showing......
wb52, @!$%# is getting deep around here huh. Wow job tell me how you really feel you upity @ss.
roflmaoooooooooooooooo
and, the jobless rate belongs to ALL who bought all those foreign products!!!!!!!!!!!!
great job...
of course job1, the democrats are saints...
your a fool if you truly believe one party caused the mess your in...
of course job1, the democrats are saints...
No they are not. However, between the two parties, I and the majority choose the lessor of the two evils.
The majority of what, slackers, losers, whiners, beggars and all around degenerates? Which category are you?
"No they are not. However, between the two parties, I and the majority choose the lessor of the two evils."
Now there's an understatement.....The Empty Suit who is going to change his call sign to 00bama...License to kill any American at will if he suspects you are a threat to his agenda...and who should be brought up on charges for accessory to murder over Benghazi.....Holder who is the chief suspect for 300 Mexican and 1 American death in Fast and Furious.....an administration that covers up and makes up a lies to cover up their inability to protect Americans overseas....a Democrat Senate that has a leader that won't bring legislation to the floor because his side didn't come up with it....More debt than all previous Presidents combined.....You call this progressive?
I call it a sham.........
What’s funny is so many of the hard right folks love to trash talk others and claim that we Progressive- Democrats don’t have a job and are on welfare. For myself I'm a higher educated Center Left Progressives, and it's in our DNA to work for a living pay our taxes and help those in need.
The truth is that many of the 47% that voted for Romney live in red states and many in the red states are the same ones that don't pay federal income taxes. However, everyone does pay some form of taxes, such as sales taxes.
So for you, act you age and not your party. You know, Losers!
OOOOH...that stung.....it's a stretch but I'll give you the "Center Left" handle.....Higher educated...well thats up for debate. .....Being highly educated doesn't make you smart......it makes you think you're smart.....I'll match my credentials against yours' any day there Doc.
Progressives: Freedom of Speech! Unless of course you disagree with us then we will bully you and label you racists/sexists/RWNJs
And why do you label and bully those that disagree with you? The pot should not call the tea kettle black.
@Job1,
Nice job of handling yourself in the snake pit! Wow, the venom is flying today!
The venom flies everyday.
You're the one that labeled us "racist hillbillies".....You don't get to have it both ways there Job...Although that is the a typical lib tactic.......Once again you predictability shows your true intentions........You're really not very good at this....you should quit before your feelings get hurt there Buttercup......and then we'll have to listen to you whine again because if wasn't fair.......
Now, let's see. Perhaps we should travel back down the road and check out all of the vile comments thrown at our President and the folks that post here whom him. I myself newer attack anyone unless they attack me first.
Hi Bob,
Yes, a spirited group today.
That because the Empty Suit is vile...........
@Job1,
Having fun just watching the spectacle!
since your so-called president is only half black, you only get half a race card to play...
now, let's be fair...
roflmaoooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Repubs are still shocked that the community organizer beat the businessman's butt. And Dems gained seats in the House and Senate.
Repubs do NOT represent majority of Americans, that became very clear duing the 2012 elections. Americans are tired of the gloom and doom of the Repubs.....Americans want progress which is why they re-elected President Obama.
Look on the bright side Repub you have 4 more years to rant and wail...and accomplish absoultely nothing....oh wait, that is 12 more years since Hilliary will win in 2016 and 2020.
Ah yes...another kool-aid drinker streaks in to rescue job........
Well Dragon that just proves it the American electorate really does have it's head in the sand. God help the United States of America from the nitwits it has created.
wb:Name calling that is your response..are you in 3rd grade.
From what I read Job doesn't need to be rescued....he is handling all of you just fine.
ozzie: The GOP are the only ones with their head in the sand, and they now admit it....just take a look at how they have walked back on most of their campaign talking points...LOL!
God is helping the United States from the nitwits it has created. That is why the Republicans are losing so many elections, and they may never get the White House again.
Funny, I really don't hear them walking back anything they are just trying to figure out how to get some of the MSM watching zombies to come out of their trance long enough to realize they have been had.
ozzie: How about on immigration....they sure have walked back on that?
How about ACA, walking back on that, many GOP govenors are now saying they will take it.
How about the debt ceiling, they are walking back on that...well walking back isn't the correct term...caving is.
How abou the Tea Party....Rove now has a pac to fight them...LOL!
Dragon,
Yes the Democrats picked up some seats in the last election but they still have less seats in the House and Senate than 2008 when President Obama was elected, which actually shows the people want a divided government.
Job1,
The Republican have gained more congressmen, Senators, Governors, State houses than they had in 2008.
i truly don't understand WHY any american would be backing up any of the idiots who destroyed their country and it's people in so many ways...
just doesn't make an ounce of sense to me...
maybe, i will go have a few and come back with a more fuzzy mind to try to comprehend it all...!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby Jindal says that republicans need to stop being the stupid party. Well, the inmates of our mental institutions need to stop being crazy. Al-Qaida members need to stop being terrorists. Mass murderers need to stop killing people. Chris Christie needs to grow a couple of feet or cut down on his food intake. etc. etc. etc.
yes, the american people are in SHOCK, they never knew their country had so many freeloaders who don't want to amount to anything in life...
That stimulus money went to our Unions; and that is as it should be; since it was public money; if you are in a public sector union, you are fine, otherwise, you are screwed.
What we need to do every few months is just zap another half million from the job roles, and presto, the jobless rate drops, it is magic.
This is the perfect way to hide that 8 1/2 million fewer people are working today than in 2009.
old: At least we aren't loosing 700,000 jobs a month like at the end of Bush's terms.
Oh, and housing is coming back, stock market is highest it has been since 2007.
BTW the calculation of unemployed has been the same for decades....so if it is hiding people now, it was hiding people under most of the past presidents....isn't that so?
Not if 8 1/2 million people never stop looking for work before during the same adminstration. Try and stay up Dragon.
ozzie: Are you saying that people never stopped looking for work under Bush???? Really???
Are you in that much denial about how bad the economy was when Bush left office.
You may be in denial but majority of Americans are not.
not 8 1/2 million giving up. Again Bush didn't cause the recession it was your Liberal Hero Clinton.
Job 1...I really wish you would put some effort into a job. There is no way you work when you have so much time to gab in this platform. Better yet...Go to College & study Economics, Finance or Accounting. Maybe then you will see that Obama will financially ruin future generations.
doug: How do you know Job1 is on this site so much...unless you are too.
Exactly how is President Obama financially runining future generations? Most Americans think Bush accomplished that goal and President Obama is leading us to recovery, thus his re-election.
I took several economics classes in college but I need to study economics again. I need to learn how you can cut your income by 20%, increase your expenses by 2 trillion dollars and reduce your debt at the same time. I wish Romney had provided the details of how this works.
There, fixed it for you since he was the major cause for the housing debacle and recession. At the rate this President is leading us to recovery we won't be around to see it happen.
Republicans will never forgive Clinton for 8 years of peace, prosperity, low unemployment and a budget surplus.
And Al Queda will never quit thanking him for the RR during his watch.
your so funny job1...
GOD was kicked out of america in so many ways, that's why your country has gone to helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
President Obama truly cares about the American people and is trying his best to do the right thing by them.
You are probably right leroy to bad he is in way over his head. Now go tell your mommy you're sorry for getting on the computer without permission.
Leroy,
As the rich have never done better than under this President and the poor are poorer, the income gap is greater than ever, the middle class has not improved so actually President Obama by all statistics is for the rich.
Look at the results, not the words and you will see I am right
"President truly cares about people" is that why he takes 20 million dollars in our tax money to take Hawaiian vacations, silly me
Also acquired a 34 million dollar mansion in Hawaii, yep he is your typical average middle class type of guy LOL
roflmaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Dragon-1873721. Perhaps you are hoping that China will eventually write off our debt? Obama has a spending issue...You apparently feel that $1 Trio+/Yr. deficits are Ok? He has done it for over 4 years...Do you think that this will suddenly end? Quick blaming prior administrations...It is way to easy to blame others.
How much does the US government owe the government of China?
i can see how much he cares about the americans by getting you all farther and farther in debt and doing nothing to stop it...
now, where was i...let us now focus on gun control of the law-abiding citizens, immigration, and global warming...
what an idiot...!!!!!!!!!!!!
good luck with that guy, he's a BIG part of the problem too...
roflmaooooooooooooooooooooooo
ouch