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    January 27, 2012

Obama Rallies Democrats, Predicts 'Tough Election' Ahead

   Dan Robinson | White House
   Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
   President Barack Obama speaks at the House Democratic Issues
   Conference, Jan. 27, 2012, in Cambridge, Md.

   U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday predicted a "robust debate" ahead
   with Republicans, and the party's eventual presidential nominee, about
   the economy and future of the country. He spoke at an annual gathering
   of congressional Democrats following a cross-country trip to underscore
   themes of his State of the Union address.
   Cheers and a standing ovation greeted Mr. Obama in Cambridge, Maryland,
   where House Democrats met for three days to discuss their legislative
   game plan and sharpen their political message in this election year.
   Relations between the president and his fellow Democrats were often
   strained in the first three years of his administration, amid difficult
   negotiations with Republicans over government deficit reduction and
   taxes.
   Mr. Obama told members of the Democratic Caucus that the "tough votes"
   they took enabled the progress made since the financial crisis of 2008
   and 2009.
   "Over the last 22 months we have seen 3 million jobs created, the most
   jobs last year since 2005, more jobs in manufacturing than we have seen
   since the 1990's. A lot of that has to do with tough decisions that you
   took," he said.
   The president repeated key themes of his State of the Union address,
   involving his call to ensure that all Americans have a "fair shot" in
   the economy, and "play by the same set of rules."
   He said Democrats in the House, where majority Republicans have blocked
   many of his key jobs proposals, were willing to make tough cuts
   amounting to more than $2 trillion in deficit reduction.
   As is often the case in a major election year, there is little
   expectation of being able to accomplish much legislatively in the
   months before Americans vote in November.

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