Obama to Disney World, without Malia and Sasha
WASHINGTON - Don't tell Malia and Sasha, but President Obama visits Disney World on Thursday. The White House says it's pure business as he'll deliver a speech on plans to boost the economy by promoting tourism and travel in the United States.
As the world's most visited entertainment resort, Disney World provides an apt setting for such a speech. Government numbers show that in the third quarter of 2011, tourism-related spending in the U.S. totaled was $1.2 trillion - about 8% of the Gross Domestic Product.
Further, the government estimates that rourism-related employment in the U.S. is 7.6-million and increased in the 3rd quarter of last year by 1.5%.
The White House says Mr. Obama will "unveil a strategy" as part of his "We Can't Wait" series of Executive Branch actions he can take without Congressional approval.
With the presidential election fewer than 10 months away, Pres. Obama needs to take every step he can to grow the economy and create jobs s as to further reduce the national unemployment rate, now at 8.5%.
Thursday's trip will be Pres Obama's 13th visit to Florida since taking office. It's a state he won in 2008 and can ill afford to lose in his bid for a second term. Five of his last six visits to Florida were to do political fundraisers.
