OBAMA: I won’t stop fighting for an economy where hard work is rewarded. I won’t stop fighting to make sure there’s accountability in our financial system. I won’t stop fighting until we have jobs for everyone.
But everyone doesn’t have a job yet as was made painfully clear by the new jobs numbers out yesterday. Ohio is among 43 states that saw unemployment rise in December. He didn’t address those numbers, but he said that despite the fight over health care, he’s still focused on the economy.
OBAMA: All I think about is how we’re going to create jobs in this area. All I think about is how we’re going to get banks lending again. I’ve been doing that the entire year.
He also defended the stimulus program. He said many people confuse it with the bank bailouts that have become so unpopular. Instead, Mr. Obama said it’s supposed to be helping everyday people, and he said it’s done some good in Ohio.
OBAMA: If we hadn’t done anything with the recovery act, talk to the people building wind turbines and solar panels. They would have told you their industry was about to collapse because credit had totally frozen. Now you’re seeing all across Ohio—this state has received more money than almost anyone to build on that clean energy economy.
But during the question and answer question, one man asked about an old industry that’s taken a beating in this region.
SCHUSTER: Mr. President it’s an honor to stand before you. Thank you.
This is Bret Schuster, a Lorain councilman.
SCHUSTER: What I didn’t hear anything is your interest in our steel mill. That’s a big part of our community and we desperately need help there as well. Just wondered where Washington’s stance is on steel mill. Thank you.
The President didn’t have many details about the drastic cuts at Lorain’s steel mills. He touted his office for manufacturing policy. But he said we also have to be realistic.
OBAMA: I want to be honest. Not all the manufacturing jobs that have gone are going to come back. And if people tell you they are, it’s just not true. Because a lot of that has moved to places where the wages are just much lower. And I know some people say that we should just set up tariffs so folks can’t ship them in. But these days the economy is so interconnected that that’s just not a practical solution.
Instead, Mr. Obama said successful American manufacturers go for the high-skill high-end products that customers want quickly. And, he said, some companies in Northeast Ohio are already starting to do that with success.