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Obama in Ohio: 10,000th Road Project a 'Big Deal'

1 year ago
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President Obama, launching what he hopes will be a summer of recovery, traveled to Ohio Friday to mark his administration's counting of the 10,000th road building project financed by the federal stimulus package.

At a ribbon-cutting for a road-widening in Columbus, Obama, in shirtsleeves, drew chuckles from hard hats when he paraphrased Vice President Biden to call the new roadwork a "big deal." The president deleted the expletive. The $15 million undertaking is expected to create 325 construction-related jobs and improve access to an expanding hospital.
President Obama in Ohio"Now, these projects haven't just improved communities -- they've put thousands of construction crews, like this one, to work," Obama said, speaking from a podium near an excavation site. "They've spurred countless small businesses to hire, because these are some big guys here (the hard hats), so they got to eat, which means that you've got to get some food brought in." That means local restaurants benefit too, he said, to another round of laughs from a friendly crowd.

Joining Obama was Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, who is in a fight for re-election against former Rep. John Kasich, and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who is running for the U.S. Senate against another former Republican congressman, Rob Portman.

The quick trip -- Obama was only on the ground for about an hour -- was the president's eighth visit to the politically important state since taking office, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

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dlk7674

This is called vote buying 101 for democrats in trouble because the economy is NOT turing around. This boondoggle is at a cost of one trillion dollars to the American taxpayer. Why wasn't this money released last year when we really needed it? Oh wait that would not have provided a photo op during an election cycle. Does this administration think that the average American is THAT stupid!!

June 19 2010 at 6:37 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
jrb359

I guess if the stimulus didn't work you can just SAY it did. I heard yesterday that most of the money that went to the states went to pay down their debts. That to me is not job creation. But I'm sure that this ever increasing bloated government with have many more public sector jobs that will eventually bankrupt us.

June 19 2010 at 8:48 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Joan

Obama's trips to Ohio are getting more frequent, as the election looms in the offing. He needs Ohio's vote, for sure.

June 18 2010 at 6:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
getgary01

Hmmm...another board says the unemployment rate dropped in 37 states...mostly as a result of folks leaving the job market. Ohio is about the same. How is that Obama stimulous plan working out for you who voted for him?

June 18 2010 at 5:22 PM Report abuse +21 rate up rate down Reply
kimgnbd

lAUGH OUT LOUD. YOU BELEIVE OBAMA CREATED TEN THOUSAND ROAD JOBS. WHO COUNTED, HE DID.

June 18 2010 at 5:08 PM Report abuse +21 rate up rate down Reply
HAHAHAHA

During your hate filled rants, do you ever stop to consider that it's actually not the governments responsibility to find you a job? They're required to keep the banks lending to businesses so they hire. But here we have a government trying to create jobs in a struggling economy, and all people can do is complain, complain, complain. Everyone knows at least one business owner. Go ask them to hire someone, and stop depending on the government for this. Haven't certain parties been saying for awhile now to have less government. Here's your chance to show you don't need them. Use it.

June 18 2010 at 4:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
I love USA

Actually, half of the work is nothing but hiring people to put up their #3,000 per sign...."this was paid for by stimulus money" all over the country!

Take those signs down...that is a lie....these $3,000 per sign IS PAID FOR BY AMERICAN TAXPAYERS WHO DID NOT WANT THE STIMULUS BILL PASSED (REMEMBER, THE 1 TRILLION $ BILL A PRESIDENT WANTED PASSED WITHOUT CONGRESS READING IT?????)....

June 18 2010 at 4:26 PM Report abuse +18 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to I love USA's comment
bookstuboo

Since you must be a financial expert, please tell us what you would have done to help the economy which Bush left in the garbage? Now no republican talking points I am talking about real solutions you must have since you decry what Obama did to try and help the country from going into a depression. All you people ever do is denounce whatever Obama does (even his negotiating a 20 billion dollar & more escrow fund from BP is being knocked by the GOBP)but you have nothing to say when asked what you would have done. Oh I am sure you will come up with some talking head nonsense from Beck or Limbaugh but before you do try fact checking it is they say (try politifact. Then again when you see how many lies and 1/2 truths they tell your mind may just blow up. When I say they tell lies and 1/2 truths I can prove this statement unlike most of the people who write on these boards without an ounce of fact in play.Still you seem to have inside infor so please let us know where we can fact check what you say. LOL

June 19 2010 at 10:53 AM Report abuse -7 rate up rate down Reply
enorcel

Most economists said that putting a great share of the close to one trillion dollars stimulus package......into building roads and other infrastructure projects .....would not reduce the 9.7% unemployment rate........ The economists were correct and Obama was not able to reduce the 9.7% unemployment rate, nationwide.... If Obama spends what is remaining on infrastructure .....it seems hopeless.

June 18 2010 at 4:24 PM Report abuse +14 rate up rate down Reply
hds830

He couldn't wait to hit the road again again - All this oil spill mess( only the worst ecological disaster in our country ) has thrown a wrench in his self serving all about me tour

June 18 2010 at 3:54 PM Report abuse +22 rate up rate down Reply
ettu

Does this man not understand the difference between taxpayer funded short term jobs, and permanent private sector jobs? I think the majority of Americans do understand, and are not buying his PR tour.

June 18 2010 at 3:17 PM Report abuse +22 rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to ettu's comment

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