Spring Break
Obama sells his stimulus plan in Florida
Beth Reinhard, McClatchy Newspapers
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: News
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- President Barack Obama swept through this downtrodden city Tuesday selling the biggest government spending plan in American history _ and himself.
With voters awarding him higher marks than the plan itself, Obama is trying to parlay his popularity outside of Washington into pressure on Capitol Hill. As Congress prepares to work out the kinks in the massive legislation, Obama was joined Tuesday by a rare Republican ally, Gov. Charlie Crist, who also boasts enviable poll numbers.
Obama brandished the charisma that made him a star on the campaign trail at an hourlong town hall-style meeting, taking a playful dig at Miami International Airport, offering encouragement to a restless college student tired of working at McDonald's, and leaning in to hug a woman who said she was living in her car.
"I believe in hope but I also believe in action," said Obama, straying slightly from his prepared remarks. "We can't afford to posture and bicker and resort to the same failed ideas that got us into this mess in the first place.
"After all, that's what this election was about," he added.
Many of the 1,500 people at the Harborside Event Center applauded Obama's quick change from freshly minted president into traveling salesman. He tailored his speech for Florida, saying the economic crisis was apparent when 1,000 people stood in line for 35 firefighting jobs in Miami last Monday. Next stop: Peoria, Ill.
"He talks to my level," said Ed Woolley, 66, who moved to Fort Myers from Massachusetts to retire but lost his home and went back to work as a security guard. "I really think he's trying."
Jamela Thompson, a 38-year-old grocery store owner who brought her young sons to the event, agreed that Obama's trip would reap good will that he can use to push his agenda.
"For the president to choose Fort Myers, it makes me believe that he really wants to hear what people have to say," said Thompson, who has moved back in with her parents to save on rent. "We all know we have a long way to go, but this shows he's on the right track."
With voters awarding him higher marks than the plan itself, Obama is trying to parlay his popularity outside of Washington into pressure on Capitol Hill. As Congress prepares to work out the kinks in the massive legislation, Obama was joined Tuesday by a rare Republican ally, Gov. Charlie Crist, who also boasts enviable poll numbers.
Obama brandished the charisma that made him a star on the campaign trail at an hourlong town hall-style meeting, taking a playful dig at Miami International Airport, offering encouragement to a restless college student tired of working at McDonald's, and leaning in to hug a woman who said she was living in her car.
"I believe in hope but I also believe in action," said Obama, straying slightly from his prepared remarks. "We can't afford to posture and bicker and resort to the same failed ideas that got us into this mess in the first place.
"After all, that's what this election was about," he added.
Many of the 1,500 people at the Harborside Event Center applauded Obama's quick change from freshly minted president into traveling salesman. He tailored his speech for Florida, saying the economic crisis was apparent when 1,000 people stood in line for 35 firefighting jobs in Miami last Monday. Next stop: Peoria, Ill.
"He talks to my level," said Ed Woolley, 66, who moved to Fort Myers from Massachusetts to retire but lost his home and went back to work as a security guard. "I really think he's trying."
Jamela Thompson, a 38-year-old grocery store owner who brought her young sons to the event, agreed that Obama's trip would reap good will that he can use to push his agenda.
"For the president to choose Fort Myers, it makes me believe that he really wants to hear what people have to say," said Thompson, who has moved back in with her parents to save on rent. "We all know we have a long way to go, but this shows he's on the right track."
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