Obama to tout jobs bill on Perry's turf

[October 04, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is turning to Republican rival Rick Perry's home state to rally support for his $447 billion jobs bill and to raise money for his re-election.

Obama will appear Tuesday at a community college in Mesquite, Texas, to tout aspects of the jobs bill that he says will help keep teachers in classrooms and modernize schools.

Obama is pushing Congress to pass the entire jobs bill, but Republican lawmakers say they want to vote on just those proposals on which they agree.

Obama will attend two fundraising events for his re-election campaign in Dallas. Later Tuesday, he'll travel to St. Louis for two more fundraisers.

The Texas travel dates come as Perry, the state's governor, campaigns for the Republican nomination to face Obama in next year's election.

[Associated Press; By JULIE PACE]

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