The Obama Diary

AP: The Democratic National Committee is launching an ad campaign in politically key states to try and rally the public behind President Barack Obama’s new jobs plan and pressure a divided Congress to act.

The television ads show portions of Obama’s speech to Congress last week promoting the $447 billion package of tax cuts and new spending. They urge viewers to “Read it. Fight for it. … Pass the President’s Jobs Plan.”

The spots were to begin airing Monday and are the first round in an effort that will last several weeks, said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse.

…. The president was formally sending the jobs bill to Capitol Hill on Monday and holding an event in the Rose Garden to call on lawmakers to swiftly back it. On Tuesday he’ll pitch the plan in Ohio, home state of House Speaker John Boehner, and on Wednesday in North Carolina.

More here

Steve Benen: In his speech to Congress last week, President Obama reminded lawmakers that if policymakers “act as one nation and one people, we have it within our power to meet this challenge”. The problem, of course, is that Republicans really don’t want to act as one nation and one people – from Politico:

“House Republicans may pass bits and pieces of President Barack Obama’s jobs plan, but behind the scenes, some Republicans are becoming worried about giving Obama any victories – even on issues the GOP has supported in the past.

    And despite public declarations about finding common ground with Obama, some Republicans are privately grumbling that their leaders are being too accommodating with the president.

    “Obama is on the ropes; why do we appear ready to hand him a win?” said one senior House Republican aide who requested anonymity to discuss the matter freely.“

….. could this quote be any clearer? GOP goals have nothing to do with boosting the economy or creating jobs, and everything to do with undermining the president during a crisis.

…..If Americans wanted Washington to focus on improving the economy, they made some very poor choices in November 2010.

Full post here