Obama talks jobs, says politics misplace focus

[May 18, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is calling attention to his economic proposals and efforts to expand the middle class.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says the U.S. should focus on attracting good jobs, educating workers and ensuring workers get paid a decent living.

Obama has been pushing those priorities in recent visits to Baltimore and Austin, Texas. Obama says he'll make the case in more U.S. cities soon.

Obama says politics in Washington often aren't focused on what Americans care about. He's alluding to a series of political troubles that dogged him last week and overshadowed his agenda.

In the Republican address, Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland says red tape in Obama's health care law will drive up costs. He says the embattled IRS needs less power, not more.

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Online:

Obama address:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/

GOP address:
http://www.youtube.com/HouseConference

[Associated Press]

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