Obama labors over jobs speech

One of President Obama's labors for the day: Honing the big jobs speech he delivers to Congress on Thursday evening.

Obama is likely to offer a preview this afternoon when he gives Labor Day remarks in Detroit. The White House schedule says the president plans to discuss "his bipartisan efforts to create jobs and strengthen our economy."

"The President has spent certainly a part of the weekend putting the finishing touches on his proposals and the (Thursday) speech," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Sunday. "And I think that that process continues over the next few days, but he's very far along."

The big jobs speech is likely to dominate White House news coverage this week, right up to Obama's joint appearance before the House and Senate on Thursday at 7 p.m., eastern.

The president is also developing a debt reduction plan he plans to forward to a special congressional committee later this month.

Facing 9.1% unemployment, Obama is expected to stress items Congress can act on now. They are expected to include new infrastructure projects, including schools and roads; free trade agreements; and an extension of payroll tax cut, as well as tax credits to employers who hire new people.

"We need to take action to spur growth and accelerate hiring," Carney said. "The President will put forward a number of proposals that have historically enjoyed bipartisan support and will, without question, if enacted, positively affect growth and job creation."

Republican critics such Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said they sense the Obama speech will be "more of the same."

DeMint, who wants Obama to focus on less regulations, told CNN's State of the Union that, "frankly I am so tired of his speeches, it's going to be hard for me to watch."

"We need a plan in writing," DeMint said. "Without sending something in writing the president makes all of these grand gestures and then it doesn't appear in any legislation and then he will blame Congress for not passing something he never sends over."

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