The president's remarks -- which took on the feel of a campaign stump speech at certain points -- came a day after he unveiled his proposal to a sharply divided Congress amid growing fears of a new economic downturn.  The president has promised to submit his $447 billion bill to Congress next week.  It is unclear whether the American Jobs Act -- consisting largely of targeted tax cuts, infrastructure spending and new job training assistance -- can win over skeptical congressional Republicans, particularly in light of Obama's falling approval ratings and the looming presidential campaign.  Addressing a joint session of Congress Thursday evening, Obama urged legislators to put national needs before partisan concerns.  "The people of this country work hard to meet their responsibilities. The question ... is whether we'll meet ours," Obama said. "The question is whether we can restore some of the fairness and security that has defined this nation since our beginning."  To help cover the cost of the plan, Obama has said he will push to increase the $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction being pursued by a special joint congressional committee.  The president announced Thursday that he will propose a deficit reduction plan September 19 and noted that it will include reforms to popular entitlement programs such as Medicare. Obama indicated he will propose sweeping changes to the tax system, including fewer loopholes, a lower corporate tax rate and higher taxes for the wealthiest Americans.  In doing so, Obama resurrected his push for a so-called "grand bargain" -- a comprehensive deficit reduction package that includes all the drivers of government spending and deficits, including those traditionally favored and protected by both parties.
President Barack Obama hit the road Friday to rally public support for his new job creation plan, calling it critical to efforts to invigorate an ailing economy and avert a new downturn."This has