From the AP: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will launch an ardent defense of President Barack Obama to Iowa Democratic activists, warning that “we just can’t cut our way to prosperity.”
Emanuel was scheduled to speak Saturday night at the Iowa Democratic Party’s biggest annual fundraiser. Excerpts from his remarks were provided to The Associated Press in advance.
In them, Emanuel says Obama has made crucial and tough decisions based on his principles, and not to lay the groundwork for a second term in office.
Before winning election as mayor, Emanuel was a top aide for Obama and he’s been a vocal advocate for the president. Emanuel says he expects voters to focus on the character of the candidates during the upcoming campaign.
The deficit reduction debate in Washington has centered on a fight between Obama and Democrats, who argue the solution is a combination of spending cuts and tax increases. Republicans argue for sole reliance on spending cuts. “To create true middle-class security, we can’t just cut our way to prosperity,” Emanuel says. “We must out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the
world.”
Emanuel was to be the featured speaker at the Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in Des Moines, the largest annual fundraiser for the Iowa Democratic Party. His appearance was expected to give the party a chance to grab attention from Republican presidential candidates making their case to social conservatives
just across town.
