Obama in Ohio marks 'stimulus' projects
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COLUMBUS -- Saying Ohioans are building their future as they rebuild their roads, President Barack Obama briefly set foot on Buckeye soil yesterday to mark the start of the 10,000th road project funded with federal stimulus dollars.
Bulldozers, hard hats and an orange construction sign proclaiming "Putting Americans Back to Work" served as the backdrop, as the president touted the $787 billion package that was passed almost entirely with Democratic votes last year and has been made Exhibit One for deficit spending by Republicans.
"Repairing our existing infrastructure is not enough. We can't build an economy that sustains our kids and grandkids just by relying on the infrastructure that we inherited from our parents and grandparents," Mr. Obama told a small crowd mainly of construction workers and media.
He was at the construction site just outside downtown Columbus for about 15 minutes, arguing that the nation's economy is on the rebound. It marked the president's eighth visit since taking office to a state considered crucial to his hopes of retaining the White House in 2012. It was his second time in Columbus to hail the 2009 stimulus package.
"I'm under no illusion that we're where we need to be yet," Mr. Obama said. "I know a lot of families have yet to feel the effects of the recovery in their own lives. There are still too many people here in Ohio and across the country who can't find work. Many more can't make ends meet. To these folks, the only jobs that we create that matter are the ones that provide for their families."
The Columbus stop at the road project, linked to a massive expansion of Nationwide Children's Hospital, kicked off a tour by the president and his administration to promote summer construction jobs funded by stimulus money. The tour will bring Vice President Joseph R. Biden to Midland, Mich., for Monday's groundbreaking of an advanced battery manufacturing facility.
Mr. Obama drew chuckles from the crowd when he briefly paraphrased his vice president's remark at the health care bill's signing three months ago. "This is a big deal," the president said, leaving out the expletive Mr. Biden had whispered then, within range of a microphone that picked up his comment.
First Published June 19, 2010 12:00 am
