by this time this year, unemployment would be below 6%. it is clear that it has not happened. i cannot help but think it did not have to be this way. we could have taken an approach that focused on unleashing the private sector. the reason the house republicans opposed the stimulus package, we believe there was a better way. there was a way that focused more on the private sector. president obama could have taken a lesson from president reagan back in the early 1980's. reagan inherited a much more difficult economy, inflation was higher, interest rates were off the charts. reagan, at this time, he had an economy that was booming. we need a course correction, we need an approach coming out of this administration that is

more focused on the private sector, more focused on what is going to take to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit in this country again. >> [inaudible] today, the president is going to minnesota. [inaudible] i am wondering if you plan to move on any of these. >> the president might want to engage in democrats and republicans. to handle the big policies affecting our economy. whether it is the tax rates, whether it is our 16 trillion dollars national debt, up $1.30 trillion budget deficit. maybe the president ought to

get into the rugged became that is right in front of him. -- rugby game that is right in front of him. >> [inaudible] you are saying, vote for us, that is what you are saying. >> we believe the policies we have advocated over the past 3.5 years would have our economy in a much better place than it is today. >> [inaudible] many of them appreciate compromise over confrontation. what are you highlighting such a different group of candidates?

>> we did not use them for their demographics or their style. they just happen to be good candidate in districts that are winnable to us. >> [inaudible] >> talking about the american job creators? 30 bills in the united states senate. help the american people instead of playing politics. >> [inaudible] [laughter] -- where do you think the jobless rate would be? >> i am not an economist. if they would have taken on

revised and worked with us, the economy would be better. more americans would have better jobs. more americans would have better incomes. that is clear to us. >> the president has his to do list. you have your to do list. did they overlap in many places at all? >> we have worked together to pass the free-trade agreement. we work together to pass the veterans of jobless bill. i can go down a long list. we were together on the import- export bank. there are a lot of places we have found common ground. it is a constant push. the president's is always out campaigning every day. >> [inaudible] >> the one area where we lost

jobs misconstruction. why won't the congress provide some certainty to the construction industry by passing the highway bill? >> the highway bill is very important. i know the conferees are working diligently trying to come to an agreement. included in their our energy provisions like the keystone pipeline, which would create 20,000 jobs immediately. up to over 100,000 jobs indirectly. this will help put americans back to work. i hope we get an agreement. >> [inaudible] >> they went their own way in 2009-2010.

>> now that mitt romney has clinched the nominations, few have any comment to own the -- callant on the sheer greed drinks?

-- on the machinery drinks? >> urged house speaker nancy pelosi and steny hoyer spoke for about 15 minutes. >> it is clear from the jobs number that we have work to do. we know it and the american people know it and the american

families across the country no weight. it is one way that we can help, the transportation bill. the job loss and the construction sector, we have an answer to this and that is to pass the transportation bill, the non-bipartisan transportation bill. they have sent 30 pieces of messages to the senate bill. we don't need 30 minutes of message, we need a bipartisan bill. we call upon the speaker of the house to bring the 10 -- to bring a transportation bill to

the floor. the senate bill is a good bill that will create two million jobs. let's get our work done. i am calling upon the speaker to bring the middle class tax to the poor which will build confidence and in our economy and create jobs. the time is long overdue. >> there cannot be an american that is soft -- that is happy with all the jobs reported today.

the june news is that we have 27 months straight of job growth. progress is too slow. because of the gridlock and the lack of agenda that is being pursued by our republican candidates. gridlock in terms of the bill, 75 bills -- 75 votes that were not among the floor, seven quarters was passed. they came together because they knew there when needed to invest in the infrastructure and grow jobs and make our economy more competitive.

i urge the majority leader candidate to put it on the floor. unfortunately, the republican leadership will not put it on the floor. we are now 30 days from the high will bill expiring, which would expire jobs, create economic growth -- >> and make it in america. >> that is part of our making it in america agenda. on fortunately, we will loss 4 million jobs in the last year of the bush administration.

we are growing the economy, but we are not growing in it fast enough. if you do not have a job, this is a depression for you. we need to take bold and vigorous action. we need to give confidence to the markets. one way is to not put at risk the credit worthiness of the united states for i am for -- i am hopeful that we will move ahead and pests the highway bill -- and passed the highway bill. >> >> the way that house

republicans have been working with bill ball -- student loans -- how was that going? >> the proof is in the pudding, whether they're willing to bring it to the floor. from the standpoint of senator boxer, she is optimistic. they have bipartisan support in the senate. as a steny hoyer said, from right to left, you do not have to be a consortium this -- you do not have to be a contortionist. this is so important to a country. this is about the infrastructure of america. this is about how our people

travel, how are commerce is moved, how water is supplied, how broadband can submit. it is about our structure and air transportation. it is time for the republicans to stop stalling on the transportation bill which will create jobs, stop stalling on the middle-income tax cuts, and stop implying that there is in. but we would not honor the full faith and credit of the united states of america. this is about confidence. this is about growing the economy, this is about paying a bill. >> we will instead --

>> i think that it is important for us to take the matter at hand and deal with it. we know that there should be an end to the high and that xbox and that day -- and that they are deepening of. -- deepening the does the set. it is our goal to create jobs, educate our children, and reduce the deficit. the high-end tax-cut >> decrease the deficit, but do not create jobs. >> punting will undermine commerce even further. one of the reasons for the lack of confidence or one of the reasons that a major conference

-- a major corporation have money and are not participating is because they lack confidence per we are not faugh -- conference. we will continue to undermine the confidence that the congress can work. there is bipartisan resolution of differences. unfortunately, we have not been able to do that in the house of representatives. punting will be a another conversation that they cannot reach agreement and punting this down further.

i believe the single biggest thing we can do for the economy is show the american people the highway bill, the still loan bill and violence against women bill and a balanced plan for putting in our country on a fiscally sustainable incredible pop. i think those are some of the biggest things rican do and we cannot just have 80 two% private sector jobs, but 164,000 jobs and more. >> if the grease can stand to the year -- >> there is no question that we

are a part of the global economy and that what has end up in europe has had a global impact. but the fact is that we are in charge of our own house and cannot have a policy to obstruct, stall, and pont. that is the of an agenda for making congress, restoring confidence sending a message to the world that, whenever it is elsewhere, our house is in order. . this obstruction is not just about trying to make the obama administration look bad and -- i will not subscribe to that -- a 5 do, doing nothing nothing -- their jobs bill is a bill that says tax cuts for the rich.

when you trickle-down, the tax jobs that are created, so be it. we do not say that. we have an obligation with given incentives to the protector to give jobs. while we must be concerned about what is happening there and we care about what happens in europe, we have a responsibility to be stronger cells that requires strength, not stalling. stop the stalling, stop the punting, hack in the transportation bill. we will do our budget in the

u.n. that is responsible. -- we will do the budget as we see, responsible. >> it will help the europeans still with their help, a strong, secure, thoughtful program to put our country, and the current -- the key country in the world, on a sustainable and credible plan. obviously, the european economy is affecting us, but we are the leaders and, if we are to leave, they will listen.

>> we are waiting to see the bill. i do not know what you have to said. there is no other obstacle to the bell i am interested to see the bill. the bills should intervene i don't think concerns about. i think if the the obstruction. >> personally, i have said that i am for kees dump. but they need proper consideration to make sure it is environment lease it.

>> law recognizing that the construction trade is the biggest source of job loss that we're talking about. it is urgent for our country. the people that we see in these halls, they work harder on

public improvements. all the things of the transcontinental railroad. it is the 75th their anniversary of the bay bridge and we will it analysts that soon. but the fact is, during depression and the public have the confidence and knew the urgency of building infrastructure, building people together. we did -- if we need to do something and we need to do it now. thank you. >> president obama was in minneapolis to speak about jobs and the economy. the president is pushing congress to create jobs and

address the middle class. this is about 35 minutes. >> hello, and golden valley. it is a good to be back in minnesota. it is good to see your governor here. although way over, we were talking about buying for spammed. the governor did a great job. your plane -- you were praying,

too. you have two outstanding senators. [laughter] [applause] your mayor is here. alex standard is a outstanding congressional delegates deserve a round of applause. i've thought ryan was really good. give him a big round of applause. from he is a natural one of the last times i was here was last august.

we stopped for some pine -- sine -- for some pie. i spent a lot of time talking with folks. fighting're still their way back from the worst economic crisis from the dead -- since the great depression. agribusinesses have created nearly 4.3 billion jobs over the last three months. the jobs report -- just like at this time last year, our economy

is still facing serious head winds. but we have high gas prices. and they are still hitting people's wallets pretty hard. most recently, we have had a crisis in your path economy. we first took action to prevent another depression. we knew the road to recovery would not be easy. we knew it would take time.

we also knew that, as if we were willing to act wisely and boldly and taylor, if we were willing to keep at it, we could roll up our sleeves and never quit. we would not just come back, but come back stronger than ever. that was our belief. i place my bets on american workers and american businesses on any day of the week. [applause] you have been fighting through the stock economy with courage

and breath and innovation. i want to it launched dave cody who has been working on my job counseling and doing a lot of great work. that is why our auto industry has come roaring back. that is why innovation has been creating chomps since the 1990's. all that is happening because of you. everybody here plays by the rules. you worked hard in meet your responsibilities. and you deserve leaders who do the same. leaders who will stand shoulder- to-shoulder with you and do everything they can to strengthen will middle-class and move this economy forward. that is what you deserve.

we cannot fully control everything that happens in other parts of the world. things were plenty of can control here at home. there are plenty of steps we can take right now to create jobs. billsent congress a jobs last september followed by portis and ideas that would put their fellow americans back to work and help reinforce our economy. i sent them a plan that would reduce the deficit by $4 billion and pay for the jobs investments we need by cutting unnecessary spending but also making the wealthiest americans pay a little more in taxes.

congress has partially past the jobs bill. it was important. i appreciate it. there are other ideas in that bill that will help make a difference in our jobs system right now. it is not lost on anybody that it is an election year. but we have responsibilities that are bigger than an election. we have responsibilities to you.

mime message to congress is that now is of the plan -- now is not the taint -- now is not the time to play politics. the economy is not where it needs to be. there are steps that can make a difference right now. they can also serve as a buffer in case the situation in europe gets any worse. right now, congress should pass this bill to put thousands of teachers and firefighters back on the job. layoffs have been a chronic problem, but it is a problem we can fix. congress should have passed a bill a long time ago to put construction workers back to

work on our roads and construction highways. since the housing bubble burst, no sector has been hit harder than the construction industry. remember that bridge here in minnesota. this is a problem we can fix. let's do it right away. instead of just talking about job creators, congress should give small business owners a tax break for hiring more people and giving them higher wages. we can get that done. right now, congress should give every responsible homeowner the opportunity to save $3,000 a year by refinancing their mortgages. we have historically low rates right now.

china was with a family in reno nevada. they got a chance to refinance even though their house was on border. they put that money back in their pockets because we made them available for those who have mortgages held by government agencies. but not their money has those kinds of art -- those kinds of mortgages. i want everybody to have that opportunity. that done right now. if you have $3,000 a year extra, that will help you pay for credit cards. that is good for business. maybe some of you will be replacing some thingamajig for their purse.

1 they can put that on. if they have that kind of money, they can just put that thing on. [laughter] [applause] >> right now, congress needs to extend credits. the issue of energy efficiency and everything we need to do to ship away from dependence on foreign oil, we are making progress. we are importing less oil than the last 10 years. but we can do more. at the screen and g companies, they are hiring folks. it is a part of a package that honeywell is doing work on.

but nearly 40,000 jobs all . why would anybody in congress walk away from those jobs. the governor and i were talking in the car about confidence coming back. but let's give more incentives. use the money to cover moving expenses or to bring jobs back to america. that would make a difference right now.

those are all steps we could be taking to enhance the economy. we can control our own destiny, it keeps this recovery moving forward. this brings me to the last thing congress should do. bui believe that anyone who figs for this country should never have to fight for a job when they come home. [applause]

and for congress, that means creating a veteran's job corps so we can put our returning heroes back to work. they should do it right now. if we are to serve our veterans as well as they have served us, we should observe more. memorial day reminds of the sacrifices that some many have made. we need to make sure they will translate. you cannot just be in a parade. we all have to deliver. for our veterans. over the past three decades, more than 3 million service members have transitioned back to civilian life. now that the war in iraq is

over and we are winding down in afghanistan -- [applause] over a million more of those outstanding heroes, they will be joining this process, the transition back to civilian life. just think about the skills these veterans have acquired at an incredible young in each. think about the leadership they learned. i think about the cutting edge technologies they have mastered. buchanan get the stuff from a classroom. -- you cannot get that from a

classroom. they have done an incredible work and that is the kind leadership and relationships that everyone in america should be wanting to attract, should be competing to attract. that is what we need. these are the kinds of americans that every company should want to hire. and that is why you have made it efficient to met -- to hire more veterans. dave is incredibly patriotic. a honeywell as month doing this

because it feels good. they also do it because it is good for business. veterans make out sending workers. so today, i am taking executive action that will make it easier for a lot of companies to do the same thing. bu when he first came home, he could not get a job as the first responder. this is a guy out there taking care of folks who are wounded in action and could not get initially get a job. then he took classes he could have talked just so he could qualify for the same duties and home that he had performed every

day. let me tell you something. if you can save a life on a battlefield, you can save a life in an ambulance. u>> if you can never see a convy or millions of dollars of assets in iraq, you can help manage a supply chain or balance its books here at home. if you can attain the most against weapons in the world, if you are an electrician on a navy ship, or you can manufacturing the next generation with some senses like this one -- and one [applause]

if you are walking -- if you're working on complex missionaries, you should be able to take my job then move. unfortunately, a lot of returning skills do not get hired simply because they don't have civilian licenses horse or certifications that a lot of companies required. at the same time, i hear from business leaders who say they cannot find enough workers. 80% of manufacturers say this. we have all these openings and skilled veterans. somehow, they are missing each other. it does not make any sense. that is where executive-and will fix it.

i'm proud to announce manufacturing groups that will make it easier to hire returning service members who prove they have earned the skills and our government needs. [applause] soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen -- you will have a faster track to good- paying manufacturing jobs. service members with just six and the front line, they will have it buster attract than those here at home.

we are talking about jobs in manufacturing and i.t. and technology. the returning combat medic has to prove himself over and over again. the first action of this staff would create service members to gain the industry-recognized certification for high-demanding jobs here at this plant. and this bills on the skills of

america's future of management. all of this builds on the steps we have taken to make sure that they're able to share in the attorneys before them. when we signed up to become bad soldiers or sailors sorry marines -- when they take off that you more, there's a risk to this nation does not stocks. think about previous generations appeared today in the veterans are the same. when they come home, and they love to continue serving america no matter what it takes. and one american in some all hands on that, they helped lead the way. our government needs their patriotism and a sense of duty.

we have hired more than 200,000. for our economy needs their outstanding talent. i am proud to say that both parties of congress got together to get that done. have by the way, if there are any veterans here in need those services, you can find a matter reps. the va and will have a jobs fair were 1200 more business

opportunities will be filled. don't forget our military families. they are serving alongside their parents -- our veterans. michele and joe biden -- that is michelle obama and joe biden, adjusting case you were curious. [laughter] you may not know which mhelle i was talking about. with respect to military families, they joined forces to mobilize all this to support today's military police and the veterans. i want to thank honeywell for not only been a partner in this

initiative, but for acquiring 900 veterans in the past year. give them a big round of applause. this is not a democratic responsibility or a republican responsibility. it is an american responsibility the -- we have to meet our obligations today. to -- all of our service members and veterans to know that we are forever brief cool for your service and your sacrifice. you fought for us. we will keep fighting for you.

you will help us keep america on top in the 21st century. we will keep fighting. to show why it is the analysis of america is the greatest nation on earth. god bless you. god bless america. thank you. >♪

all of shiite och wyman va and ♪

♪ maher.and leon brow ♪

>> this morning, "washington journal" taze your e-mail them phone calls. michael powell at the national cable and television association convention. at 10:00 a.m., discussions on protecting video content, music, and remarks from the head. patrice hill talks about the rise in the in the plenary. at 8:30 a.m., eastern, we look at how fema is preparing for the 2012 hurricane season. the 2012 hurricane season.