Obama turns to selling public on jobs plan

[September 09, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is getting out of Washington on Friday to rally public support for his newly unveiled jobs initiatives.

The president planned to visit Richmond, Va., where he'll cast his jobs package as a bipartisan plan that will get Americans back to work quickly.

The plan the president laid out Thursday night in a nationally televised speech would cost nearly $450 billion and would increase and extend a payroll tax cut for workers that goes to Social Security. It also provides a tax cut to employers. Most of Obama's proposals stand little chance of being implemented without the backing of congressional Republicans.

Obama's quick trip to Richmond is expected to be the first of several he'll make around the country in the coming weeks to tout his jobs proposals.

[Associated Press; By JULIE PACE]

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