President Barack Obama today said his administration’s plans to investment heavily in energy research during hard times will create the kinds of jobs and technology the United States needs to survive economically.
“I know it’s not easy,” Obama told employees at an electric-car plant here in California, home of a giant and hurting economy. “There are days I’m sure when progress seems fleeting and days when it feels like you’re making no progress at all. That’s how it feels in the White House sometimes, too.”
The president defended pumping billions of dollars into energy research, saying that sometimes great discoveries don’t happen in a flash of brilliance, but rather as the result of a deliberate effort over time.
His economic message had the twin aim of touting the $787 billion economic stimulus plan and building support for his $3.6 trillion budget plan. Both put an emphasis on so-called green enterprises, like plug-in electric cars that are designed to be fuel efficient and kinder to the environment.
“Even as our American automakers are undergoing some painful adjustments, they are also retooling and remaking themselves into an industry that can compete and win,” Obama said. “And millions of jobs depend on it.” (AP)
