Carney Doesn't See Job Growth In GOP Jobs Plan

By Mike Hothi

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney criticized Republicans today for not putting forward a plan that would help create jobs.

“It is unfortunate but true that though the Republicans have put forward economic plans, they have not put forward a plan that would in any way have a measurably positive impact on economic growth or job creation over the next 12 to 18 months,” Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One.

The Senate Republican plan Carney was referring to includes a combination of tax cuts, a moratorium on new regulations, an end to restrictions on off-shore oil exploration, a repeal of President Obama’s healthcare law and a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

But Carney remains optimistic that the Senate will take up the President’s jobs bill. “We are confident that Senator Reid will be able to say something about the scheduling of a vote in the relatively near future.”

Last week, Senate Democrats failed to get enough votes to move Obama’s jobs bill to a final vote. Now, it looks as though the Senate will break up the bill and vote on it piece by piece. The first component that could see action would involve keeping public educators on the job.

“That is our expectation, that the first measure will be teachers,” Carney said.

That measure, valued at roughly $35 billion, would also help states keep first responders on the job.

Carney Bullish On Jobs Bill Vote

The White House is betting that Congress will vote on at least part of President Obama’s jobs bill.

During his briefing today, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters that he’ll buy them each a beer if Congress fails to move on the legislation by the end of the year.

Carney, a devout Boston Red Sox fan, may need a few adult beverages himself to wash away memories of the Sox’ epic collapse which culminated last night in a season-ending 4-3 walk-off loss against the last-place Baltimore Orioles.

In less than a month, the Red Sox blew a nine-game Wild Card race lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, whose miraculous comeback win against the New York Yankees last night vaulted them a game ahead of Boston and into the American League playoffs.

This Week At The White House

According to the White House, President Barack Obama will start his week off here in Washington where he is attending meetings during the day Monday. In the evening, he will attend two DNC events, the first being held at a private residence and then continuing on to the St. Regis Hotel, Washington, DC.

On Tuesday, the President will visit Interstate Moving Services in Springfield, Northern Virginia. This visit is part of the administration’s efforts to show commitment in reducing oil consumption and cut pollution. The President will announce first of their kind fuel efficiency standards for work trucks, buses, and other heavy duty vehicles.

On Wednesday, the President will attend meetings at the White House. In the evening, the President will host an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at the White House.

On Thursday, the President will travel to Holland, Michigan to tour the Johnson Controls Inc. advanced battery facility. At Johnson Controls, the President will highlight the key role innovative technologies will play in helping automakers achieve the historic fuel economy standards, establishing U.S. leadership in advanced vehicle manufacturing, spurring economic growth, and creating high-quality domestic jobs in cutting edge industries across America. Later that evening, The President goes to New York City to attend two DNC events and return to Washington, DC that night.

On Friday, August 12, the President welcomes the Super Bowl XLV Champion Green Bay Packers to the White House to honor the team and their Super Bowl victory.

White House Strongly Condemns Violence In Syria

The White House released the followed statement on Syria.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that Syrians who have been wounded by their government are being denied access to medical care. The escalating repression by the Syrian government is outrageous, and the United States strongly condemns  the continued efforts to suppress peaceful protesters. President Assad and the Syrian government must respect the universal rights of the Syrian people, who are rightly demanding the basic freedoms that they have been denied.”



White House Denies New York Times Report

A story published late Sunday night on the New York Times’ website about the Obama administration’s plans to unleash an ad assault on the GOP this fall is “100% inaccurate,” according to a White House official.

“The Times is just flat-out, 100 percent wrong,” the official said. “The first time Obama’s advisers heard about a national ad campaign is when the story showed up on the Times’ website last night.”