President Obama embarks on a three-day bus tour to key swing Midwest states to listen to voters and to discuss his job creation plan.
At his first stop in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, President Obama spoke to 500 people at Lower Hannah’s Bend Park. He told the crowd, "Our biggest challenge is putting people to work." He said that he will present a "specific plan" in September to create jobs and improve the economy.
He blamed Congress for not doing enough to spur job growth. Congress must have the "willingness to put partisan games aside," he said during his prepared remarks.
Republicans responded immediately. In a conference call for reporters (posted on this webpage), Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus said the President "likes to blame everybody but himself." He said, "Barack Obama's policies are job killers." Priebus pointed to the health care law and to new environmental regulations.
Mr. Obama held a second town hall of the day in Decorah, Iowa.
In addition to today's stops, on Tuesday he will hold another event in Peosta, Iowa, where he and members of his Cabinet will host a forum on promoting economic growth, accelerating hiring, and spurring innovation in rural communities and small towns across the nation. The forum will bring together small business owners, private sector leaders, rural organizations and government officials.
The bus tour concludes on Wednesday with two events in his home state of Illinois.