Barack Obama unveils $447bn jobs plan

President uses televised address to urge Republicans to end 'political circus' and approve American Jobs Act to bring down unemployment

the Guardian, Friday 9 September 2011 01.35 BST

Barack Obama used a televised address to the nation to unveil a $447bn package aimed at bringing down the country's high jobless total, the issue that could determine whether he wins re-election next year.

In a rare joint session of Congress on Thursday night, the president challenged the Republicans to end the "political circus" in Washington by approving legislation he is to send them next week, the American Jobs Act.

But the Republicans, even before Obama spoke, signalled opposition to a package they dispute will produce significant numbers of new jobs and dismissed it as an election gimmick. Washington could be facing its third major Congress-White House standoff this year.

All the pomp and ceremony attached to such events could not disguise the extent of the polarisation in Washington. Many Republican members of Congress boycotted Obama's speech, a rare snub for a sitting president.

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