President Obama will take to the airwaves tonight before a joint session of congress to unveil his jobs plan. The much anticipated speech could not only help those Americans who are in dire need of employment and financial assistance, but if successful, it could go a long way in assuring the president a 2nd term.
Mr. Obama is expected to propose $300 billion to strengthen the economy and stimulate new job growth, although some sources say that figure was growing and could top $400 billion.
The plan will be paid for partly by closing corporate loopholes and raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans in the future, according to one Democratic source. It will largely focus on infrastructure spending, targeted tax cuts and aid to state and local governments. The president is also expected to extend unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted the 99-week maximum, yet are still without a job.
As a further sign of broken government in Washington, Mr. Obama’s speech tonight will not be without controversy, as several GOP congressman intend to boycott the speech by not attending. Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia, says in lieu of attending the speech, he will comment on it via Twitter instead.
Excerpt: "Moment of Truth" This, after all, is a president who has ended the war in Iraq, killed Osama bin Laden, passed universal health insurance, rescued Detroit, stabilized an economy in free-fall, dispatched Qaddafi, deftly presided over a democratic transformation in the Middle East, and guided the political system toward a far more honest assessment of our fiscal crisis. He has quite a story to tell. He just needs the audacity to tell it.Well, tonight we'll see the first attempt. What ultimately forges a presidency is how it responds to the moment when it is getting pummeled. Good luck, Mr President. This time, you'll need it. [….]~ Andrew Sullivan