Reuters is reporting that President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that there were a range of policy options that could create up to 1 million jobs in remarks ahead of a major economic speech that he will deliver next week.
Obama must boost growth and bring down unemployment to be confident of winning another White House term in the November 2012 general election. Economists are skeptical that he will get Congress to agree to significant new spending on jobs.
"We don't have magic bullets, but what we do have, I think, is the capacity to do some things right now that would make a big difference," Obama said in a interview with popular radio talk-show host Tom Joyner.
The White House says that details of the job-creation proposals Obama will unveil next week are still being worked out, and it has yet to announce an exact date or location for his speech, although Obama hinted at some of the ideas that he would put forth.
"There is no doubt that we can take steps that would mean the economy was growing a percent or a percentage and a half faster. That could mean half a million to a million additional jobs," Obama said.
We're glad the president is working on a plan but are skeptical, along with economists, that he will be able to get it approved in an obstructionist government. Perhaps he'll make use of his power as president and make executive decisions in order to move the country forward. Without jobs, the only thing that's certain is our downward spiral.
Read more at Reuters.
In other news: Democrats Need a Spine to Stand Up to Tea Party.