Stalled hiring needs a jolt

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attacking a deepening jobs crisis, President Barack Obama challenged a reluctant Congress Thursday night to urgently pass a larger-than-expected $450 billion plan to "jolt an economy that has stalled." He urged lawmakers to slash Social Security taxes for tens of millions of Americans and for almost every business to encourage hiring.

"Stop the political circus," an animated Obama told a joint session of Congress in a nationally televised speech. Over and over he implored lawmakers to "pass this jobs bill."

Open to discussion but making no promises, Republican House Speaker John Boehner said Obama's ideas would be considered but the president should give heed to Republicans' as well. "It's my hope that we can work together," he said.

In announcing a plan heavy on the tax cuts that Republicans traditionally love, Obama sought to achieve multiple goals: offer a plan that could actually get through a deeply divided Congress, speed hiring in a nation where 14 million are out of work, shore up public confidence in his leadership and put Republicans on the spot to take action.

The fate of the economy will define Obama's re-election bid, but he sought to dismiss that element as political fodder that means nothing to hurting Americans.

Obama never estimated how many jobs would be created by his plan, which also includes new federal spending for construction, hiring and an extension of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. Despite his promise that it would all be paid for, he has not yet released the details on how.

His message was unmistakable to the point of repetition, as he told Congress more than 15 times in one way or another to act quickly. That was meant as direct challenge by a Democratic president to the Republicans running the House to get behind his plan, especially on tax cuts, or be tarred as standing in the way.

The urgency of the jobs crisis is as pronounced as it's been since the early days of Obama's term. Employers added zero jobs last month. A whopping number of Americans - about eight in 10 - think the country is headed in the wrong direction and Obama's approval ratings are on the decline.

In the House chamber, Obama received a warm response but then the usual political pattern took hold, Republicans often sitting in silence on the applause lines that had Democrats roaring. Boehner had chummy moments with Vice President Joe Biden at his side before the speech but was somber over Obama's shoulder as the president spoke.