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President Barack Obama wrapped up a two-day trip to Minnesota Friday with a campaign-style speech, slamming congressional Republicans for standing in the way of middle class economic aid.


With the mid-term election looming and his approval numbers sagging, Obama told a friendly crowd at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis that he's fighting for them. The Democratic president said he cannot afford to wait for Congress and is moving ahead wherever he can.

Obama's Twin Cities visit moment by moment

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He made light of GOP criticism over his recent executive orders dealing with the minimum wage, pay equity and student loans.


"So, we take these actions and then now Republicans are mad at me for taking these actions. They're not doing anything, and then they're mad that I'm doing something. I'm not sure which of the things I've done they find the most offensive. But they've decided to sue me for doing my job."


Obama praised Minnesota and other states for moving ahead on their own this year with minimum wage increases, a goal that he's been unable to make any headway on at the federal level.


Still, he invited Republicans to try working with him instead of against him.


"My message to Republicans is join us. Get on board. If you're mad at me for helping people on my own, then why don't you join me and we'll do it together? We'll do it together. I'm happy to share the credit."


Obama repeated that the reason for his trip to Minnesota was to meet Rebekah Erler, the working mother who had sent him a letter explaining her family's financial struggles. Erler had lunch with Obama Thursday and then introduced him today at Lake Harriet.


"This was an amazing opportunity to share our family's take on issues that we believe affect all American families. I walked away knowing that I was truly heard," she said.


Republicans took aim at Erler after reports that she had once been a campaign worker for Democratic U.S. Senator Patty Murray of Washington state. They also took aim at the president's speech. Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Keith Downey said GOP candidates have better ideas for the economy than Obama or other Democrats, including Sen. Al Franken and Gov. Mark Dayton, who are up for re-election this year.


"We need a fundamental economic recovery here, and I think Republicans have that kind of message of growth and opportunity going into this upcoming election," Downey said. "We're going to stand for a real recovery, not just symptoms, band aids on the bigger problem."


Democrats who spent several hours outside to see and hear the president were generally pleased with his message.


Lisa Elsenbast of Minneapolis said the speech fired her up to help Democrats get elected this fall.


"I think it's very motivating," she said. "It makes you realize how important it is to get out there and spread the word and educate people that maybe aren't part of trying to help create a better world for a lot of middle class Americans."


DFL Rep. Keith Ellison said he also was inspired by the speech, though he added he's worried about DFL voter turnout this fall.


"We should absolutely be nervous and so nervous that we get up every day and call and knock and knock and call and call and knock," he said. "Complacency has no place. None."


David O'Neil, a 15-year-old from Minneapolis, said he thought it was "cool" to see the President at Lake Harriet. But O'Neil and his friends were wearing campaign T-shirts for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden, who O'Neil said is more in line with his political views than Obama.


"The family goes to St. Thomas Academy, which is the school I go to," he said. "So me and my friends are just wearing the Mike McFadden shirts, and then just coming to spread the message, I guess."


Republicans endorsed McFadden to take on Franken this fall.


Franken did not attend the speech. Earlier in the day he accompanied the president on an unannounced stop at the Minnesota Workforce Center in north Minneapolis. They visited a community job training program there that works with young mothers.

Politics and Government News

Tim Pugmire

Author

President Barack Obama wrapped up a two-day trip to Minnesota Friday with a campaign-style speech, slamming congressional Republicans for standing in the way of middle class economic aid.


Obama fires up faithful, defends economic record in Minneapolis speech

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