Local leaders respond to Obama's jobs speech
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President Barack Obama delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. Watching are Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner.
Local elected officials stuck to party lines Thursday night when reacting to President Barack Obama’s speech about his Jobs for America Act.
Democrats said the plan would be good for working Americans. Republicans agreed with parts of the plan but disliked the tone and timing of the speech.
The Gazette invited politicians to share their thoughts. Here is a selection of the comments from those who responded:
Rep. Evan Wynn, R-Whitewater, 43rd Assembly District
Wynn said the words of Obama’s speech made sense and fit with some of the actions being taken in Wisconsin.
“The president even agreed with Congressman Ryan that changes to Medicare and Medicaid are needed,” Wynn wrote.
However, Wynn said that actions, not words, are needed to achieve results.
“However, parts of his speech sounded more like a lecture,” Wynn wrote. “President Obama calls for bridging differences and working together, but will he hold his side to this standard?
Rep. Joe Knilans, R-Janesville, 44th Assembly District
Knilans said Obama must be looking at Wisconsin for direction because legislation calling for tax cuts, hiring veterans and unemployment reform already have been passed or proposed here.
Knilans is not sure Obama’s speech was sincere.
“I do agree with President Obama that we must do something to turn this economy around,” Knilans wrote. “However, I question why he hasn’t been working on this since the beginning of his term as he promised. His timing makes these proposals look more political than sincere.”
Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, 45th Assembly District
Loudenbeck said Obama clearly made an effort to reach across party lines. She thinks once the debt reduction and stabilization pieces are revealed and debated, they could gain support and move forward.
“I am personally uncomfortable with the big government undertones of his remarks and his revision of the ‘Story of America,’ which completely disregarded our country’s core values of individual freedom and personal responsibility,” Loudenbeck wrote.
Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, 80th Assembly District
Ringhand said it will take collaboration, creativity and hard work to rebuild the economy. She looks forward to studying the details of Obama’s plan.
“There is no silver bullet or magic wand for restoring our economy, but I am encouraged by the comprehensive approach he outlined tonight,” Ringhand wrote.
Rob Zerban, Kenosha, Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional District
Zerban said his opponent, incumbent Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, has been a “cheerleader” for a policy that supports the rich as well as corporations that have sent jobs overseas.
“The president was right tonight to call for a different way and a jobs policy that helps rebuild our middle class,” Zerban wrote. “Instead of the Paul Ryan way, which hastens its demise.”
Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, 2nd Congressional District
Baldwin, who is running for U.S. Senate, said it was great to hear Obama’s call for action.
“The middle class is taking it on the chin in both the economic and political environments,” Baldwin wrote. “It’s time to confront the game playing in Washington and declare that now is the time to come together to respond to the crisis facing our nation—jobs and the economy.”
Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin
Kohl said Obama’s plan would help small businesses grow and help people get to work as teachers and laborers.
“This is the time for elected officials, regardless of party, to put aside petty differences and use the president’s proposal as a springboard to get America’s economy back on track and generating more employment,” Kohl wrote.
Sep 10, 2011 at 3:04 p.m.
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gpawcat- I'm not talking trash about the other party. I am talking trash about my party (Republican). I am getting really tired of voting for someone who promises they will represent my views and then does nothing but cater to his or her personal agenda. I actually thought the President's plan, was at the very least a plan of action rather than just more rhetoric about how we can't get anything done.
Sep 10, 2011 at 10:51 a.m.
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If the dems want to hang on to the White House they better start thinking about replacing the prez. Notice the comments here? No one is talking about the Obama speech, just talking trash of other political party. Hillary & Bill vs Perry & Rubio. Now that would be a tough decision at election. I'de hate to see one party controlling both houses and the white house.
Sep 10, 2011 at 10:12 a.m.
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http://gazettextra.com/photos/2011/sep/0...
Sep 10, 2011 at 9:51 a.m.
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$250 Billions of this plan is TAX CUTS!
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Republicans USED to argue that TAX CUTS ARE NOT SPENDING and DO NOT ADD TO THE DEFICIT.
Heck, their argument is tax cuts increase revenue...perhaps the tax cuts will then increase enough revenue to pay for the rest.
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WOW! I just figured out the republican logic...that is frightening.
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That said, the president asked for MORE CUTS, something republicans LOVE to pay for the bill.
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The only thing republicans dislike about this bill is that it might work and create an environment where President Obama could be re-elected.
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This may have been a political speech by the president but the response by the republicans...politically DISGUSTING!
Sep 10, 2011 at 8:34 a.m.
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In the country of the blind, the one eyed man is king I guess.......
Sep 10, 2011 at 8:26 a.m.
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We know what Paul Ryan's response is. He doesn't need to comment. Ha!
Sep 10, 2011 at 8:05 a.m.
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Don't get me going on Ryan........ we just need someone who don't hide behind his so called beliefs.
He don't even share the wine....... you can have a few crumbs.
Sep 10, 2011 at 7:57 a.m.
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Where is Paul Ryan's response? Oh, that's right he couldn't care less about what goes on in his district.
Sep 10, 2011 at 7:52 a.m.
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How's Scat Walker doing on his promise to create 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin?
Sep 10, 2011 at 7:28 a.m.
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It's the money supply. Politicians can talk jobs all they want but the reason for the recession is a decline in the money supply. The way to get out of the recession and create jobs is increase the money supply. When is the last time you've seen a graph with M3 on the front page of any newspaper?
Sep 10, 2011 at 7:10 a.m.
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Joe....If he was looking at Wisconsin for direction, would he not just balance all spending on government employees, remove tax credits for the poor and give tax breaks to corporations. While also cutting services that only the ultra rich do not or never will need. Like public school funding.
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Amy....Why does the part of his speach that addressed your party's want to dismantle the functions of government that corporations don't like and the ultra rich will never need. The functions that the everyday person needs like clean water, good schools, roads, airports, higher education, parks, and the list goes on, bother you? Could it be that it is true?
Sep 10, 2011 at 12:24 a.m.
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Really? That's all you have? The basement thing was put to rest months and months ago, but I guess if that's all you have you just keep beating that drum....
Sep 10, 2011 at midnight
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Did Knilans make that comment from his brothers basement? That guy is a joke!
Sep 9, 2011 at 11:40 p.m.
Sep 9, 2011 at 10:54 p.m.
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It's not a surprise that Rob Zerban took this as an opportunity to campaign for himself, and one has to wonder why he was even asked since he holds no political office at this time, just as I do not hold any office yet my phone never rang for my input.
I agree 100% Representative Joe Knilans, I to question why he hasn’t been working on this since the beginning of his term as he promised. His timing makes these proposals look more political than sincere. It becomes more and more obvious to me at least that the reason these ideas weren't put into place years ago because they would've held less value in his upcoming attempt at continuing his career in politics! Anyone who can't see this as just a political move belongs in the Democratic party, your eyes are closed to the rather obvious here. You can mark my words that before next November we will be seeing our gas prices at or below $2.00 a gallon, I say this well over a year ahead of time and if I am wrong please don't let me forget this, but if I'm not (which I am almost sure to not be) don't forget that I told you this and maybe you won't continue living in denial of your great anointed one continues to lead us down the inevitable road to ruin!
It was just a little over a month ago that the Republicans agreed to raise the debt ceiling with the understanding that there was to be a cut in spending and increased taxes and to cut, cap, and balance the federal budget. Now, a little over a month after congressional Republicans made their deal with Obama, he suckered them into giving him a taxpayer-financed re-election speech to announce a more than $447 billion stimulus plan, effectively reneging on the debt ceiling deal he made back in August.
It's just a shame that the American citizens are nothing more than pawns in President Obama's agenda in his political game of chess here.
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