President Obama hit the campaign trail today, speaking at a manufacturing center in North Carolina. The theme: jobs, jobs and jobs. He’s trying to re-assure Americans he’s focused on their top concern of the economy.
"Today, the single most serious economic problem we face is getting people back to work," the president said at a LED lighting plant in Durham. "We stabilized the economy, we prevented a financial meltdown and an economy that was shrinking is now growing. We've added more than 2 million private sector jobs over the last 15 months alone, but I'm still not satisfied. I will not be satisfied until everyone who wants a good job that offers some security has a good job that offers security."
He also announced details of an incentive program to train 10,000 new engineers every year.
Obama won the North Carolina vote back in 2008, and it remains a key state to the president's re-election.
Not helping matters, it’s been a week of lousy economic news for the White House: 9.1% unemployment rate, only 54K jobs added and stock market shrinking for sixth straight week. Depressing stuff.
Economic policies will undoubtedly come up tonight with 2012 Republican presidential hopefuls. The GOP is scheduled to hold its first debate in New Hampshire.