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Source: LA Times
Reporting from Las Vegas -- When pundits and reporters set out to chart the progress of the Obama administration at 100 days, some in the White House disparaged the exercise as a foolish contrivance focused on a meaningless marker. But today the White House conjured up its own 100-day milestone -- the time elapsed since passage of the president's economic stimulus bill -- and used the occasion for a round of self-congratulation.
"One hundred days ago, in the midst of the worst economic crisis in half a century, we passed the most sweeping economic recovery act in history: a plan designed to save jobs, create new ones and put money in people's pockets," President Obama said after touring a solar energy farm on the edge of Las Vegas. "One hundred days later, we're already seeing results."
Specifically, Obama said the legislation had "created or saved" nearly 150,000 jobs, cut taxes for 95% of working families and boosted Social Security payments for 54 million senior citizens.
Not surprisingly, Republicans had a different take. Party Chairman Michael Steele branded the White House progress report a publicity stunt. "American families want jobs . . . not another 'report,' " Steele said.
The president tempered his remarks, as he usually does, so as not to seem unduly optimistic or callous toward the millions of Americans still struggling to get by -- many of whom lost their jobs in the months since the economic bill passed.
"This is just the beginning. There are still too many Americans out of work and too many who worry that their job may be next," Obama said. "There are still too many families struggling to pay the bills and too many businesses struggling to keep their doors open . . . that is why my administration will continue an unrelenting, day-by-day effort to fight for economic recovery on all fronts."
Still, his tone was unmistakably upbeat, and the White House sought to bolster the president's comments by releasing a long list of construction projects nationwide funded by the stimulus bill. Included was work on the San Diego Freeway in Los Angeles at the Sepulveda Pass.
The president came to Nellis Air Force Base to tout its solar-energy production as a national model for job creation in a greener environment. The solar panels built on part of an old landfill provide about a quarter of the electricity used by the 12,000 people who live and work on the base.
"In this case, what happens in Vegas should not stay in Vegas," Obama said, drawing a burst of laughter from the crowd of enlisted men and women seated inside a sweltering hangar.
Policy aside, the main purpose of the president's two-day Western swing was to raise campaign money: in Las Vegas for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the home-state lawmaker, and tonight in Beverly Hills for the national Democratic Party.
By staging a nonpolitical event such as the one in Las Vegas, the White House can bill taxpayers for at least part of the tab. It is a common practice, used by both parties when they control the White House. |
