A gathering in search of jobs

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 9:28 PM

WASHINGTON - With economic and political concerns rising as the unemployment rate has broken double digits, President Obama announced on Thursday that he will hold a forum at the White House next month to find new ways to reverse the job losses. "Even though we've slowed the loss of jobs ... the economic growth that we've seen has not yet led to the job growth that we desperately need," Obama said.

"Given the magnitude of the economic turmoil that we've experienced, employers are reluctant to hire," he continued. "Meanwhile, millions of Americans -- our friends, our neighbors, our family members -- are desperately searching for jobs. This is one of the great challenges that remain in our economy, a challenge that my administration is absolutely determined to meet."

Obama said he would gather chief executives, small-business owners, economists, labor leaders and others to discuss ways to create jobs and grow the economy. He said he did not want to act rashly, particularly given the soaring budget deficit, but would be open to "any demonstrably good idea."

"We all know that there are limits to what government can and should do, even during such difficult times," Obama said. "But we have an obligation to consider every additional, responsible step that we can to encourage and accelerate job creation in this country."

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