NBC News is reporting that President Obama will give a major speech in early September to unveil ideas for jobs and economic growth. It comes after he indicated in an interview with CNN yesterday that his upcoming plan will not include creating a new jobs department.
Meanwhile, the President is wrapping up his three day tour through the Midwest today with two town hall meetings on the economy in his home state of Illinois. The President appeared before a group of farmers and small business owners in Iowa yesterday, urging Congress to boost the economy by passing an extension of the payroll tax cut and a new road construction bill. But throughout his remarks, the President continued to blame Congress, suggesting lawmakers are standing in the way of economic growth. He said, "we've got a lot of work to do and the only way it'll get done is if Democrats and Republicans put country ahead of party and put the next generation ahead of the next election."