President Obama in Elkhart

Today President Barack Obama is traveling to the “RV Capital of the World,” Elkhart,
Indiana, where the jobless rate has more than tripled to 15.3% in just a year as its
recreational vehicle industry has been slammed by the recession and high gas prices.
Layoffs are happening across the nation, but it’s acute in this city of 52,000, located
just more than 100 miles from Chicago. Obama is seeking to dial up pressure on Congress to
keep the stimulus package from losing elements he views as crucial for getting the economy
back on track. The town has prepared its own wish list of projects, should it receive money
from the stimulus plan. In both the town hall and news conference, Obama will highlight the
depths of the economic distress many Americans are feeling, difficulties that he will argue
the stimulus package would ease. On Feb. 10, the president will travel to Fort Myers,
Florida, where the unemployment rate has risen to 10% from 6% in a year because of soaring
foreclosures and sinking tourism.