QUOTE OF THE DAY – AT 8:35 A.M. ET:  From Andrew Malcolm at the L.A. Times's Top of the Ticket blog:

Speaking on behalf of millions of Americans who've grown angry and frustrated over the president's 32-month ineffective inactivity on the job creation front, President Obama on Thursday told members of Congress they really have to do something about the crummy employment situation -- and do it quickly.

Citing the plight of millions of struggling Americans whose wishes for jobs Obama ignored for most of the 961 days he's been in office while chasing shinier healthcare and financial reforms, Obama said it was time that Congress stop blaming others. He said it was time members take responsibility for their inaction and halt their phony partisan games and political circus acts that pervade Washington culture.

Because the Americans Obama hasn't been listening to are really hurting now. And -- who's....

....counting, but it's only 424 days until Nov. 6, 2012. No plan yet to pay for Obama's ideas. But he wants immediate passage of his American Jobs Act anyway.

COMMENT;  Yeah, that pretty much says it.  Last night's speech, with its put-on urgency, came a little late, or a lot late, for most Americans.  Reaction this morning remains mixed.  Some people feel there are elements of the plan that have merit.  No one sees it as a magic bullet. 

AT the same time, the Dems can argue that at least the president put something on the table.  Republicans must now come up with, and publicize, their own ideas.  Romney did that earlier this week, but no challenger has the bully pulpit that the president has.

Mr. Obama will use that pulpit, and the inherent power of the presidency, to help win reelection.  I wouldn't be shocked if he does a Truman, and runs a whistlestop campaign across the country.  Do not count this man out.

September 9, 2011