American Morning
Labor union president wants Obama to go big and bold with his jobs plan
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka has been a vocal critic of how President Obama has handled the unemployment situation in the country, insisting that he has not been bold enough in his plan and his vision.
Trumka traveled aboard Air Force One with the president last week to discuss jobs on Obama's way to the Detroit jobs rally.
Today on American Morning, Trumka shares his insight on job creation and tonight's speech with Carol Costello and comments on the fiery rhetoric of his fellow union leader, Teamsters President James Hoffa.
How will Obama's jobs speech influence the political gridlock on Capitol Hill?
This evening, President Obama will announce his jobs program to the nation during a special joint session of Congress.
Democratic sources have told CNN that the president will propose a three hundred billion dollar plan attached to specific legislation called "The American Jobs Act" that focuses on infrastructure spending, targeted tax cuts and aid to state and local governments.
Will this plan create new jobs and will it be enough to secure the president's re-election?
Ron Brownstein, CNN senior political analyst, and Nick Ragone, author of "Presidential Leadership," weigh in on Obama's plan and the political imperative behind the proposal on American Morning today.
WH Press Secretary: Obama's 'American Jobs Act' will be ready for Congress next week
This morning, Democratic sources tell CNN that President Obama's jobs plan, to be revealed in a speech tonight, could end up topping $400 billion dollars and include a lot of infrastructure spending and targeted tax cuts.
On American Morning today, Christine Romans asks White House Press Secretary Jay Carney about what we can expect to hear from President Obama this evening.
"It does have a name - The American Jobs Act," Carney says. "The President will announce tonight that he intends to submit legislation to Congress early next week which will contain all of his proposals, as well as a provision to pay for all of his proposals."
"Congress should act right away and get it done," Carney adds.
Carney goes on to explain the plan will have some ideas that have been discussed in the past, and some new ideas that have not been put forward before. The plan will include infrastructure spending, community assistance to rebuild schools and a variety of reforms aimed at stimulating the economy.
The speech comes during a time of continued high unemployment and stagnating national growth. Romans asked Carney about a recurrent Republican criticism – that the last time President Obama argued for spending to create jobs with the stimulus plan, it didn't work.
"There is a broad bipartisan consensus in America of the kinds of actions the President will propose," Carney responds. "What we hope to hear from Congress is a will necessary to act now."
You can watch the entire interview here.
Watch President Obama's speech live and CNN's special coverage starting at 6pm Eastern.
Political Panel: Grading the GOP debate as Perry, Romney clash on jobs and social security
The conversation got a little testy between Rick Perry and Mitt Romney in Wednesday night's Republican presidential debate.
The two GOP front runners tried to create some separation on issues like social security and job creation. So who scored and who slipped with the voters?
This morning on American Morning, CNN Contributor Dana Loesch, CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein and Newsweek/Daily Beast contributor Mark McKinnon look at who came out on top at the debate.
How can America's middle class get back on their feet?
This morning, Demos, the non-partisan public policy research organization, is set to release its new report, "The Great Unraveling: A Portrait of the Middle Class."
The report shows how the middle class is being cornered by rising costs and illustrates how economic prospects are diminishing for America's youth.
Tamara Draut, vice president of policy and program for Demos, joins Christine Romans today to discuss the organization's findings and to explain why she thinks that the Obama administration needs to develop bold, short-term measures to help the country's middle class.
Rep. Paul Broun: 'The president doesn't listen.'
Congressman Paul Broun (R-Ga.) is among a handful of members who have decided not to attend President Obama's speech before Congress tonight.
Instead, Rep. Broun will watch the speech from his office, where he'll hold a "Twitter town hall" with his constituents to discuss the president's plan and to receive feedback from his district about how to create jobs in America.
Representative Broun joins Carol Costello on American Morning today to explain why he's not attending the president's speech despite concerns over partisan gridlock in Congress.
"The thing is, the president doesn't listen," Rep. Broun tells Costello. "This is just another campaign speech. He's just focusing on the 2012 election and that's what it's all about. We're seeing the same proposals of big government spending. It's failed over and over again."
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