September 09, 2011 11:01 PM UTC

Obama Jobs Speech Nets Bipartisan Praise

• 14 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

If you haven’t seen them yet, here’s a wrap-up of responses from Colorado’s congressional delegation to last night’s presidential address–notable for an unusual lack of partisan bile compared to what we’re used to…well, any time President Barack Obama gives a speech about anything. Have poll numbers showing universal disgust with political grandstanding and obstruction in recent months finally hit home–or is this merely affected and temporary lip service to cooperation? Excerpts follow.

Mike Coffman: “Improving the economy and creating jobs are the most important issues facing our country.  These issues are more important than any politician’s re-election.  I’ve supported every bipartisan proposal brought before Congress.  The president should have shown leadership by bringing both parties together in the White House to come up with a bipartisan plan on a jobs bill instead of delivering a highly-partisan campaign speech.   However, I owe it to my constituents to study each of his proposals to see which ones have merit and to continue to work hard toward improving our economy in order to create jobs.”

Diane DeGette: “For too long the political gamesmanship and gridlock has stood in the way of Congress providing real solutions to create jobs for Americans. Unfortunately tonight that intransigence was once again on display, as my Republican colleagues visibly refused to support the idea that everyone in our country – including the wealthiest among us – should contribute their fair share to our recovery.

“In the coming weeks, I look forward to reviewing the specifics of the President’s proposal, and I hope my colleagues will put aside the ideology we saw tonight and work with us to pass a bipartisan jobs package; finally putting country ahead of politics, getting Americans back to work, and our nation’s economy moving again.”

Cory Gardner: “As the President moves forward with his jobs plan, I hope that he considers taking action on the dozens of House-passed jobs bills that could immediately help put people back to work but have stalled in the Senate.  Many of these bills bring much needed relief from excessive federal regulations that are hampering job creation across our country.  Both parties must work together in the weeks ahead to facilitate this effort.”

Doug Lamborn: “The President’s engagement on this critical issue is long overdue. I look forward to seeing a written plan that can be independently reviewed for cost.”

Ed Perlmutter: “We need jobs for Americans now.  We need certainty for our economy now. The American people need and want to feel confidence in the economy again and they need to be able to plan for their lives, their businesses and their future. I believe the President set forth a fiscally responsible path to invest in long-term projects rebuilding our infrastructure and ensuring we return to a top-of-the class education system so we can implement our innovative ideas for the future.  These components of infrastructure, education and innovation will lead us once again to an economy that is built to last and creates good, stable jobs for the future.  Americans work better together than apart, and now is the time for us to unite and ensure we once again make it in America.”

Scott Tipton: “We have an opportunity to work together in Washington to fire up these and other engines to drive economic recovery and create new jobs in this country. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and with the President to reach common ground and pass legislation to get Americans back to work.”

Michael Bennet: “No speech can be a catalyst for job creation, but the President presented many useful ideas.  What we need now more than ever is for Democrats and Republicans to work together in a serious way.  In town halls in red parts of the state and blue parts of the state I held last month, Coloradans reaffirmed their complete and completely justified frustration with Washington.  They want to see the cartoonish debates replaced with serious discussions about how to move our economy forward.  Our economy is stagnant.  Companies are producing at the same levels they were before the recession but we have 14 million unemployed workers.  Other than politics, nothing is stopping us from moving forward on numerous ideas – from Democrats and Republicans – that can help our economy grow and create jobs.”

Mark Udall: “More than anything, America’s business leaders need a shot of confidence so they can start investing long-term in their businesses, and the only way to create confidence is when leaders in Washington work together to create a climate of certainty. While I always want to see the details, we need to take the president’s proposal seriously. We can’t afford a repeat of the political games that have blocked our country’s progress over the last several months.”