Closed captioning of: With eye on 2012, Obama targets economic growth
>>
getting americans back to work will be the center of
president obama
's
state of the union
message tuesday night. mike vicara is at the
white house
for us mike?
>> reporter:
almost 15 million americans are looking for work. but the economy is slowly recovery. as the president prepares to address the nation on tuesday night, in a prestate of the union message to supporters, the president left no doubt about the theme of tuesday's address.
>>
my number one focus, is going to be making sure that we are competitive and that we are growing and creating jobs not just now but well into the future.
>>
that focus is evident in nearly every recent public appearance by the president with new emphasis on competing on market as broad and giving a jolt to a slow economy.
>>
the next two years, our job now is putting our economy into over drive.
>>
after attacking business for much of the last year, mr. obama is trying to mend fences. his new chief of staff is a former commerce secretary with close tie to
wall street
. i named
jeff immelt
to the staff. for the gop that would include the new
health care law
. today republicans vowed to move ahead with repeal. creating a more favorable economic climate would boost growth but also his standing with voter.
>>
we started seeing a week or so after the election, the president moving, reaching out, compromi compromising, and the proof is in the polls.
>>
the president is already laying the
ground work
for a
2012
run for re-election where
economic growth
or lack of it could mean everything.
>>
if we continue with month after month after month where we are at 10% unemployment and in a four-year down period the president is in serious jeopardy.
>> reporter:
the president says he is going to take to boost the economy. he told supporters today he will be talking about deficits and debt on tuesday night.
>>
nbc's mike vicara at the
white house
, thank you. tomorrow
david gregory
's guest will be
eric cantor
of jovirginia.
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