Obama embarks on bus tour to sell his economic agenda

President Barack Obama departs the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, for a short flight to nearby Andrews Air Force Base, Md., then on to Minnesoa, where he begins a three-day bus tour in the Midwest.

/ AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

As the economy continues to sputter, the Republican presidential contest heats up and his poll numbers sink, President Obama is embarking on a three-day bus tour that seems to be designed to convince Americans he can restore the economy with another term in office.

The president will visit five small Midwestern towns this week, starting with Cannon Falls, Minnesota. From there he'll travel to Iowa, and then to northwestern Illinois.

The itinerary will provide a fairly positive setting for Mr. Obama, as the National Journal points out. In 2008, Mr. Obama won four of the five congressional districts he's visiting and only lost Minnesota's district by 1.5 points. On top of that, all five cities are faring relatively well economically, sparing the president's bus tour any painful contrasts with signs of hardship, like rows houses facing foreclosure.

Asked about the fact that Mr. Obama's bus tour will take him to areas with relatively low unemployment, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters today that the president wants to observe economic strategies that are working and potentially apply them to the rest of the country.

When the president takes his message directly to voters this week, he's expected to hammer Republicans for obstructing his agenda. In his weekly radio address on Saturday, he told voters they have "a right to be frustrated" and that he's frustrated as well. "Because you deserve better, " he said. "I don't think it's too much for you to expect that the people you send to this town start delivering."

At the same time, the president is focused on working toward economic policy goals that are achievable in the current, hyper-partisan economic climate, the New York Times reports, such as the jobs program for veterans Mr. Obama unveiled earlier this month.

As part of its efforts, unnamed officials told the New York Times, the administration could even attempt to merge the Commerce Department, the Office of the United States Trade Representative and other agencies into a new agency, dubbed something like the "Department of Jobs" or "Department of Competitiveness."

Still, Mr. Obama is interested in achieving bipartisan support for a major deficit reduction plan, as the so-called congressional "super committee" comes together to form a plan by the end of the year.

The president will have to sell his ideas to a skeptical public -- 15 months ahead of the 2012 election, the latest Gallup poll puts Mr. Obama's approval rating at just 39 percent.

Meanwhile, the Republican presidential contenders, who were in Iowa over the weekend for the Ames Straw Poll, have been hammering him on the economy.

The GOP isn't stopping at Mr. Obama hits the road. Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus is in Cannon Falls, Mr. Obama's first stop today, to dub the president's road trip, "Obama's Debt-End Tour." The RNC is launching a multimedia campaign in the region Mr. Obama is traveling to criticize his record on the economy.

The White House told reporters that Mr. Obama's bus tour, which is employing two new Secret Service buses, is an official trip rather than a campaign trip and that he's taking the opportunity to engage with the American people.

Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that such a bus trip "isn't just an appropriate thing for a president to do, it's something that a president should do."

[slatep]

Paragraph 1: Ain't gonna happeen.!!

As far as traveling to these small towns to learn their agendas for saving the economy, BU**SH**.!

He just can't take any more heat for his failures in the larger venues.

[ajvw]

just like the old snake oil salesmen

[usswahoo]

well.....8years of bush/cheney and this happens....obama is just trying to fix 8years of massive republican debt

[retm-w]

The bush followers gave bush 8 years, might as well give Obama the same.

[nuscpb]

President Obama had asked big corportion ceos for job creation ideas and created a business council. Do you think these ceos would spend all those valuable time to risk their own careers to help president. In fact, they have shipped more jobs out to foreign countries. President ignored US chamber of commerece which they represents small domestic business which it totaled 70% of UD business. US economic looks bleak because of the weak leadership, don't blame anyone but himself. Unfortunately, we have to live with him for another 17 months.

[4betterdays]

FYI The taxpayers are paying for his campaign bus! He has gotten record contributions, why are the taxpayers paying for the bus?

[morsecode5]

Who is kidding who here???? If Obananas is reading these comments, then the pathetic fraud better listen up. We are sick and tired of being runover like this. If you so-called want to be re-elected, then get off your ass and prove to the world that you can do the damn job!!

[Palrak]

Thumbs up!

[Harden_Tar]

I am reminded of the George Bernard quote that said "Any government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul". All this administration is trying to do is create enough "Pauls" to keep themselves in power.

[agnesdeo]

Prez. Obama why don't you stay at home and work for the people who elected you in the first place. Stop play acting as our president, be a president and do the work of a president, if you know how. Walk the walk instead of just talk about the walk. Be a man! Be a president, if you can just for afew more months.

[jefflz-2009]

Obama never fails to disappoint. He took office in the midst of true chaos and he had the opportunity to become a true leader. Clearly does not have the right stuff. I have stopped expecting him to do anything but roll over for the Republican right. He has surrounded himself with mediocrity and his performance to date is even less than mediocre.

He is naive in trying to negotiate with Republican ideologue "terrorists" whose sole objective is to bring down his administration at any cost to the nation. He needs to return to the base that elected him and convince them he is not just a tool of the banks and a weak leader. He has the capacity to inspire but he must stop spouting platitudes about hope and change and finally take strong action: Fight to repeal the Bush Tax cuts, put an end to the Afghan War, press for a stimulus package that will rejuvenate the economy, work for true oversight of fraudulent banking practices

[RealiteBites]

He's on tv right now equating government spending with progress.

BIG mistake! Totally wrong message for the times.

Because people have soured on the idea that government spending is the key to progress.

He needs to look to the market - and by that I mean doing something about recalibrating trade. Republicans used to care about the market, but lately all they talk about is corporate welfare and Herbert Hoover. Raygun was a Republie, but at least he demanded fair trade when he insisted the Japanese hire locally as a condition for accessing the US market when it came to cars ...