Obama visits Ind., compares crisis to Great Depression
By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY
ELKHART, Ind. — President Obama, highlighting what he says is a desperate need to boost the nation's staggering economy, told this distressed northern Indiana city on Tuesday that if Washington politicians will stop bickering, help will be on the way for this struggling community and others across the country.
"The situation we face could not be more serious," Obama told a town hall-style meeting at Concord High School. "We have inherited an economic crisis as deep and as dire as any since the Great Depression."
Taking his case for an $800-plus billion stimulus package to the people, Obama visited this city known as the nation's "RV capital," where the fast-shrinking industry has caused the fastest-growing unemployment rate in the country.
MORE STIMULUS NEWS: Obama visits job-starved Indiana
At 4.7% one year ago, Elkhart County's unemployment rate now stands at 15.3%.
Sounding like he was back on the campaign trail, Obama told the audience the nation "can't afford to wait" to fix the economy while millions of people around the country are losing their jobs.
"We can't wait and see and hope for the best," the president said. "I can tell you with complete confidence that endless delay or paralysis in Washington in the face of this crisis will bring only deepening disaster."
The $827 billion Senate version of the plan was likely to pass the Senate on Tuesday. However, it remained to be seen how much Republican support it would draw.
The legislation must be reconciled with the House version, which totaled $820 billion in spending and tax cuts.
Obama acknowledged the plan isn't perfect: "It's coming out of Washington, it's going through Congress," he said to laughter.
"But it is the right size, the right scope, and has the right priorities to create jobs that will jump-start our economy and transform it for the 21st century," the president said.
He also warned that even with the plan, things would not turn around overnight.
"Recovery will likely be measured in years, not weeks or months," Obama said. "But we also know that our economy will be stronger for generations to come if we commit ourselves to the work that needs to be done."
Scott Miller, 53, of Elkhart owns an industrial supply company that serves the RV industry and some medical companies.
"My business is half of what it was a year ago," he said Monday. If the stimulus bill doesn't help the economy, "I could be in trouble in three months."
Anita Hawkins, 32, of Elkhart, who has a job working with the disabled, said she knows many people who have lost their jobs or had their hours and pay reduced.
Talking before Obama spoke, Hawkins said she wanted to hear how the president will "get people back on their feet."
Obama's trip was part of a broad sales pitch for legislation making its way through Congress. He has given numerous television interviews and met with members of Congress one-on-one.
He plans a prime-time news conference from the East Room of the White House on Monday night.
