HARRISBURG — Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding President Obama’s recent visit to Pittsburgh:
“President Obama came to Pittsburgh to talk about jobs, but based on his failed economic record and his burning desire to camouflage them with taxpayer-funded campaign tours, it’s clear the only job Obama cares about is his own. President Obama’s toxic blend of tax hikes, strangling regulations, and failed stimulus spending has left national unemployment stuck at 9.1%, and now, he wants to double down on the same failed policies with a new Stimulus 2.0,” Chairman Rob Gleason said.
“So disastrous are the President’s policies that even members of his own party are keeping President Obama at arm’s length, as Democrats look for any excuse to get out of Pittsburgh during his visit.
“Thanks to job-friendly leadership from Governor Corbett who has championed pro-growth, pro-jobs policies all year, Republicans have been able to keep President Obama’s disastrous economic policies at bay. But next year, Pennsylvania will be looking for new leadership in the White House in 2012.”
September Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 9.1%
“Each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases its Current Employment Statistics report, which provides a snapshot of the U.S. labor market. Today’s figures show that the U.S. economy created 103,000 jobs in September, unemployment remains at 9.1%” (“September Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 9.1%.” C-Span News. October 7, 2011.)
Obama’s Pittsburgh job visit not big draw
“Most of Western Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation won’t make it to President Obama’s visit to Pittsburgh next week, saying their day jobs got in the way.
“Several blamed a vote and other duties. But at least one analyst noted that Obama is struggling in the polls as he tries to sell a jobs plan that Republicans don’t want. On Tuesday, Obama will stump for the plan at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 5 training center on the South Side.
“Some of the more specific polls are demonstrating that in the areas where the president enjoyed most of his strength, he doesn’t enjoy that today,” said Gerald Shuster, a political communications professor at the University of Pittsburgh. “You couldn’t snub him, but at the same time, I wouldn’t want to be right up front on the platform.”
Politics and approval ratings have nothing to do with Altmire’s decision to remain in Washington, he said. If a president of either party came to his district, typically he would be there, he said. Altmire said he did not know whether Obama would campaign in his district next year, after losing it by 11 points in the last election.
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“He has made a pitch to the left in rhetoric and policy. In my opinion, that doesn’t play well in middle America,” Altmire said.” (Wereschagin, Mike and Zito, Salena. “Obama’s Pittsburgh job visit not big draw.” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Friday, October 7, 2011.)
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