CLICK the link at the bottom of this post for the transcripts of Pres. Obama's remarks. Enlarge Mark Wilson/Getty Images President Obama delivers opening remarks during a news conference Friday in the East Room of the White House.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
President Obama delivers opening remarks during a news conference Friday in the East Room of the White House.
Obama sought credit for promoting economic policies that he claimed have helped middle-class Americans and laid a stronger foundation for the future. But he admitted that economic recovery overall has been "painfully slow."
To move forward, Obama called on Republicans to support proposals he has unveiled this week to extend tax breaks for businesses and to spend an additional $50 billion on infrastructure projects.
Yet, in the midst of the election season, he castigated Republicans for "sitting on the sidelines" while he and fellow Democrats grappled with the nation's economic problems. He also accused the GOP of holding middle-class tax relief "hostage" and "playing games" with a small business aid package that has stalled in the Senate.
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Asked how he had changed Washington, Obama cited specific policies he has pushed through but conceded that his project to "create a greater spirit of cooperation" in the capitol had fallen short.
"I'm as frustrated as anyone," the president said.
Digging Out Of A Huge Hole
Obama noted that the nation has seen eight consecutive months of private sector job growth. But the number of jobs created has been relatively small — not enough to make up for the 8 million jobs lost during the recession, which the president called "a huge hole to dig ourselves out of."
He complained that Republicans were offering up versions of "the exact policies that got us into this mess," saying their platform of tax cuts for the wealthy and deregulation had led to the financial meltdown.
Obama said that Democrats "will do fine" in November if voters credit them for policies that helped avert a depression and are still aiding the economy, "if not fast enough." A big win for the GOP in the upcoming congressional elections — which appears to be increasingly likely — would represent a retreat on economic progress, he argued.
Still, he conceded, "Since I'm the president and since Democrats have control of the House and Senate, it's understandable that people are saying, 'What have you done?'"
Not At War With Islam
On the eve of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — and, in light of recent controversies surrounding the building of an Islamic center near the former site of the World Trade Center and threats to burn the Quran — questions about terrorism and the war in Afghanistan were inevitable.
Obama sought to remind Americans that the reason the nation remains at war in Afghanistan is to make sure that country is never again used as a base for attacks in the United States.
He conceded that corruption in Afghanistan remains a major problem. He also admitted that he had not been able to fulfill a campaign promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which he noted is still used as a recruiting tool and "talking point" by al-Qaida.
Obama cited the potential for inflaming anger overseas — potentially endangering U.S. men and women in uniform who are serving in Muslim nations — in calling for tolerance in allowing the construction of mosques wherever churches or temples would be welcomed.
We should be "crystal clear" that our war is against murderers and terrorists, not the Islamic religion that they "distort," he said.
"We are one nation under God," Obama said. "We may call that god different names, but we remain one nation."
Still Hoping For Progress
In a news conference lasting approximately 75 minutes, Obama took questions from 13 reporters, touching on issues including health care, poverty and education. He described the latter area as one "where actually we've seen some good bipartisan cooperation."
Obama cited the need for a spirit of cooperation for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to succeed. Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu need to "start thinking about how to make the other succeed," he said.
Obama said that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to the Middle East to attend their first round of meetings later this month.
He also confirmed that Austan Goolsbee, who had served as a top aide during his 2008 campaign, will replace Christina Romer as the chair of the Council on Economic Advisers.
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