Obama Michigan 'jobs' context

Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 1:36 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Barack Obama

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
When President Obama speaks in Warren, Mich., today, he will say, according to prepared remarks, "[T]he hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won’t be coming back."

That sounds a similar tone to what his Republican presidential opponent John McCain said in Michigan in January of 2008 in the run-up to the primary there. And which Obama himself agreed with -- with a caveat -- during the heated Democratic primary campaign.

McCain was criticized for the declaration, and he wound up losing the state to Mitt Romney (though Romney had family ties to the state -- his father was governor -- which was likely the bigger reason he won there).

In May 2008 -- in fact on the same day he picked up the coveted endorsement of John Edwards and at the same community college where he will be speaking today -- candidate Obama said McCain "was right about that" that some jobs wouldn't be coming back. "But where he's wrong is in suggesting that there's nothing we can do to replace those jobs or create new ones."

It's worth pointing out that with Obama now as president, it still remains to be seen if those new jobs will be created or what they will be, but, in any cae, by June of 2008, McCain changed his tune to adopt the wrinkle Obama suggested, saying that "new jobs are coming" to Michigan.

Obama also said on that day at Macomb Community College, "It's going to be a clear choice between four more years of the same failed Bush policies that have wrecked Michigan's economy, or real change that allows us to write a new chapter in American manufacturing and the American economy and American history. ... I'm running for president so the cars of the future will be made where they've always been made, right here in Michigan."

Here are more excerpts released by the White House of what Obama will say today:

[T]he hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won’t be coming back. They are casualties of a changing economy. And that only underscores the importance of generating new businesses and industries to replace the ones we’ve lost, and of preparing our workers to fill the jobs they create. For even before this recession hit, we were faced with an economy that was simply not creating or sustaining enough new, well-paying jobs …

Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result -- by tapping the incredible innovative and generative potential of a skilled American workforce. That is what happened when President Lincoln signed into law legislation creating the land grant colleges which not only transformed higher education, but also our economy. That is what took place when President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill which helped educate a generation -- and usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity. …

That is why, at the start of my administration I set a goal for America: by 2020, this nation will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world…Today, I am announcing the most significant down payment yet on reaching this goal in the next ten years. It’s called the American Graduation Initiative. It will reform and strengthen community colleges from coast to coast so that they get the resources students and schools need -- and the results workers and businesses demand. Through this plan, we seek to help an additional five million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next decade. …

Not since the passage of the original GI Bill and the work of President Truman’s Commission on Higher Education -- which helped double the number of community colleges and increase by seven fold enrollment in those colleges -- have we taken such a historic step on behalf of community college in America. And let me be clear: we pay for this plan by ending the wasteful subsidies we currently provide to banks and private lenders for student loans, which will save tens of billions of dollars over the next ten years. Instead of lining the pockets of special interests, it’s time this money went toward the interest of higher education in America. …

…[W]e also know that in the coming years, jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience. We will not fill those jobs -- or keep those jobs on our shores -- without the training offered by community colleges.

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Comments

Democrats have destroyed Michigan. Just have killed it. Very nice state with great people. But the Democrats have driven the state into the ground. Too many taxes, too many false promises.

Ceil Radwin, Big Rapids, MI (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 1:59 PM)

John Edwards had to leave the stage quickly after endorsing Obama so he could be with his sweetie.

Love Is Blind (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:00 PM)

So in the meantime, during the 10 years it will take, can we have some of those shovel ready jobs that you promised????

Willing to Work (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:02 PM)

"We need to pass this stimulus plan quickly, because if we don't, unemployment may rise above 8%."

BHO Washington DC - February/2009

The President’s economic advisors predicted that unemployment would rise to 9 percent by 2010 if Congress did not pass the stimulus bill, but that with the stimulus unemployment would stay below 8 percentage points.

Congress passed the stimulus bill in February 2009 and the President has repeated his claims. Asked when the public should begin to judge the effects of the stimulus, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said “I think we should begin to judge it now.”

In that case, the stimulus must be judged a failure. The figure above shows the projections the administration made in January with and without the stimulus bill, and the actual unemployment rate since then. Unemployment has risen not only above what the President’s advisors predicted would happen if the stimulus passed, but above what they estimated would occur without the stimulus. By the President’s own measure, the stimulus has failed.

Obama, like the stimulus, IS A FAILURE!!!!!

Now BoBo is saying that unemployment likely wont go above double digits. And we thought Biden was the stupid one!

BoBo's Depression (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:03 PM)

Make detroit the epicenter for electric vehicles and renewable energy...they have the tooling, the workforce, and the real-estate is dirt cheap.

Greg P. NW Indiana (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:03 PM)

There he goes again, the "special interest" President lecturing us about special interests (..."intead of lining the pockets of special interests..."). Mr Obama, you have a paid staffer who meets daily to coordinate your White House "message" with various of your pet special interest groups. How is it you can lecture us on special interest groups? In the health care debate, you avoid like the plague any form of tort reform because trial lawyers are one of the many special interest groups who have lined your pockets with money and you (up 'til now) don't have the guts to provide reasonable reform so that doctors aren't forced to pay exorbinant amounts for insurance coverage against these frivilous lawsuits. And yet you wag your finger at us and warn us of the "dangers" of special interest groups? Lastly, you claim to be the "education" president....and yet you defend the failing public school system in America and the NEA (another of your pet special interest groups) while not fighting for charter schools which have proved successful in places like Washington DC and others.....Again, who are you to lecture others about special interest groups when you've proved to be the most corrupted by them?

The Special interest group president lectures us again (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:04 PM)

Michigan doesn't need another campaign speech today, filled with more empty promises. Focus on the promises already made and already broken.

KLM in MI (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:04 PM)

Obama is finally admitting what the Stimulus was for. It was for state workers, teachers and goverment workers. It was used to pay off states so they could fill the pension plans and keep the jobs of the people that worked for the state. The Stimulus wasn't to create private sector jobs. It never was designed for that. And we see the results. Most if not all state workers and teachers are keeping their jobs, well, at least for this year, because the states will just have to do their cutting next year, unless Obama pumps through another Stimulus Bill.

False Promises (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:04 PM)

I'm not really surprised that you guys missed it, but Obama is appearing in New Jersey today at a corzine rally.

the venue was moved from Rutgers, New Brunswick, to the PNC arts center in Holmdel. The 'story' is that they can get more people in the arts center; anyone who knows anything about the two venues knows that is a load of baloney. You can get a LOT more people in rutgers stadium than you cn get at the arts center; not only that, but the security is a nightmare for the Secret service at the arts center.

Givn Obama's 53% approval rating in this state, and corzine's negative numbers, it's not surprising that they moved to a smaller venue. It's not even surprising that they lied about it.

What is amazing is that you guys, who follow him everywhere, don't even mention it.

no joe, no bo,nj (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:05 PM)

FR: Obama also said on that day at Macomb Community College, "It's going to be a clear choice between four more years of the same failed Bush policies that have wrecked Michigan's economy, or real change that allows us to write a new chapter in American manufacturing and the American economy and American history. ... "

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The man is still pumping out the bs. Michigan is run by Democrats Obama, liberal Democrats. They ruined that state, not the so-called "Bushs policies". This story line of bs used by Obama is getting a little old.

Grere Thomas, Detroit MI (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:06 PM)

Obama and democrats lied, our hopes died and Goldman sacked America!!!

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:07 PM)

The President is consistent in pointing out that many workers need additional training to get new jobs. We need training for and investment in "green" technology which will mean new jobs that stay here and cannot be out sourced.

What we will "outsource" will be the new products we sell to the Chinese another developing nations.

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:16 PM)

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
When President Obama speaks in Warren, Mich., today, he will say, according to prepared remarks, "[T]he hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won’t be coming back."
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No they won't thanks to Busheconimics, poor management and politics. The future will be in green jobs and a drastic scale down of yesteryear mentality. The focus should be on the future. The State of Michigan was once known as the home of the “Big Three Automakers” must now place full emphases on Technology and Healthcare. Degrees in those fields are the new future no longer plants after high school.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:16 PM)

The job market in Michigan is so competitive that McDonalds now requires a PhD and people are jumping at it.

What a Shame (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:17 PM)

Obama: "We pay for this plan by ending the wasteful subsidies we currently provide to banks and private lenders for student loans, which will save tens of billions of dollars over the next ten years. Instead of lining the pockets of special interests, it’s time this money went toward the interest of higher education in America."

Maybe there is a need to adjust student loan programs run by the private sector, maybe there isn't. But even if there is, how is this kind of rhetoric helpful in getting the ball closer to the goal line?

I'm hard pressed to recall such an anti-business president in my lifetime. Just what is this guy trying to do? Does he really expect the American economy to run on the fumes of government spending? Does he really think that allocation of economic resources by central government whiz kids will enable the 'incredible innovative and generative potential of a skilled American workforce'?

Baloney, the vision of America he's trying to implement is more like Amerika. And that is most assuredly NOT the kind of change most folks thought they were voting for in 2008.

Bill, Fairfax, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:24 PM)

Re a previous topic: For all of you who ridiculed the color coded alert system. Please realize it was people like you that caused a need for such a thing. People who say stupid things like "there never was a threat" etc...are the very first people to throw a fit when something DOES happen. They scream "why didn't they at least give us some sort of warning"...

The Bush admin was forced to come up with this system, however silly, to be able to say that they did try, and were trying. Of course, when the liberals are doing everything possible to make it easier for terrorists to attack us again, it was a tough task from the start to be able to warn us all, but hey, it was something at least.

They knew that your kind would ridicule the system. But that was better than going public and saying "hey, we have been wiretapping so and so and we believe he and his buddies might be up to something". Not only would that let the terrorists know that we are wiretapping them, but then you very same people would cry and scream that the poor terrorists's rights were being violated.

Fletcher Mussels, Durham, NC (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:36 PM)

where are the jobs?

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:45 PM)

If the U.S. doesn't take some bold action to save manufacturing in this country we are doomed. Not every one can work for the government or push digital money around. A country can not survive without a strong manufacturing base, not financially or militarily, when you have to purchase military equipment from the same people you are fighting the outcome will most likely be negative, truth be known I think we are already done for cause the middle class is gone, and without a strong middle class things will spiral out of control between the haves and have nots, I feel sorry for our children because the greatest nation in the World is no more.

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:59 PM)

Obama: "[T]he hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won’t be coming back. They are casualties of a changing economy. And that only underscores the importance of generating new businesses and industries to replace the ones we’ve lost, and of preparing our workers to fill the jobs they create."

You're exactly right Mr President, I couldn't agree with you more. So riddle me this: why did you bail out GM and Chrysler? Why did you save a bunch of dinosour jobs in a couple of companies that have been dead man walking for the last 30 years? Why not just give your UAW buds a couple of billion dollars to keep them fat dumb and happy the rest of their lives. Then allow the other tens of billions to flow into sectors of the economy where they could be most productivly employed in 'generating the new business and industries' that could replace the jobs that were lost? Inquiring minds want to know.

Bill, Fairfax, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:06 PM)

What can I say except if we do not as a country try and recreate the middle class then all we are going to have left is a "Dark Ages Two Class System" going forward. Whether it's healthcare or green jobs or small business, if the jobs do not come back, no President (R) or (D) will do well in the polls as each successor fails to measure the seriousness of a person who is out of work and is trying to eat and pay for housing. It is the single most important issue that should be on the W.H. Agenda.

Barbara - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:12 PM)

Wow, Lord Limpballs is afraid of Sonia Sotomyer. Well it makes sense, every republican I have met are afraid of something. Fear and smear is all these little sad slappies have. Why are republicans slappies so easily manipulated to vote against their own interests: Answer, willful ignorance and stupidity. All the repuke slappies are fighting for Lord Limpballs since he could not fight Himself, plus Limpballs is afraid of a hispanic woman. No wonder he hides in his estate house that all you gullible repuke slappies bought for Lord Limpball. He got a 400 million dollar contract to manipulate ignorant and stupid people. These slappies have to give up 1000 jobs at Clear Channel to pay Limballs wages. But he laughs all the way to the bank, while 1000 people are out of work. When confronted about the 1000 jobs lost, Rush said it was an even exchange. He actually thinks he is the equivalent of 1000 jobs and it did not even bother him. The only thing that bothers Lord Limpballs is paying taxes to pay for the wars or help America. Limpballs cares only for himself and would not care less about a dittohead. You dittoheads/ignorant slappies, made limpball a 400 million dollar baby that will never spend one cent on any of you republican slappies. His job is to piss you off so you do not see him get rich on your hatred. This would be tragic if it was not true.

bobf (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:16 PM)

But for the Michigan and Florida primary debaucle, we'd be saying President Hillary Clinton today!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:29 PM)

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:29 PM)

Hey no joe, no bo,nj. Thanks for reading. The Obama-Corzine rally happens Thursday. Today, Obama is in Michigan and then throwing out the first pitch in St. Louis at the All-Star Game. We always appreciate the feedback.

Domenico Montanaro (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:42 PM)

sorry-in my earlier post, I meant to type thursday.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:43 PM)

Boy, you libs just don't like Jon Voight. And he doesn't like Obie's flight plan for America. Great actor. Loved him in Anaconda.

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Feisty, you are not fooling anybody with your silly sign-offs that are sentences. Grow up and send me some of that pest spray for ants, roaches, feisties democraps and spiders.

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Dan Austin in Tx

I get time on this blog because I have a sense of humor and don't take anything any single one of you say seriously. I entertain with a point. You don't see it because your heads are clogged up with denials and agendas. You people are silly, like putty. Hey! You're silly putty.

Stop whining about us on the flip side. Your guy is in whether legal or illegal. He's beating the middle class to death with a stick but why worry about it, right? Acorn will beat the rap because Obie was one of them. And if they go down, he'll step in.

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And here's another clue for you all.
The walrus was Paul.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:47 PM)

Retrain, restructure, reeducate and there are jobs. The new "GREEN" industry offers plenty of good, well paying, jobs. The longer it takes to create those "GREEN" energy companies the longer it will be before those folks in the rust belt, steel and auto industries, can get jobs. Every time someone bucks the creation of such companies they contribute to this delay.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:29 PM)

How do you know they will be well-paying jobs? Your talking 20-30 yrs down the road man. Those products have to produce a market first. All of that BS is expensive and those jobs will pay minimum wage.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:53 PM)

Why don't we hear more about Jennifer Granholm?
She's a woman who is governor.
She's pretty.
She's educated.
She's articulate and reads.
She has an attention span longer than 2 minutes.
She doesn't have a teenager who's a single mother who had a (former) gomer boyfriend.
She doesn't have a steady pork pipeline.
She is the governor of a large, diverse state with
REAL troubling issues and real responsiblities.
And she's NOT a quitter, although Lord knows why.
Why do we focus on totally inadequate, inarticulate, disingenuous, unqualified trainwrecks like soon-to-quit Gov. Palin?

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:04 PM)

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