COLUMBUS — As President Barack Obama mounted the stage at Ft. Hayes in Columbus yesterday, more than 3,000 spectators erupted in booming applause, leapt from their seats and stood on their tip toes to get a glimpse of the leader of the free world.
“Now we rock ‘n’ rollin’,” shouted a woman from the crowd, as another plopped her grandson on the metal rail for a better look at the president.
Though there was a good mix of ages among those present, the young adults in the congregation were eager to hear from the man they hoped would bring jobs to Ohio after the 2008 election.
Imploring Congress to follow his lead, Obama lobbied lawmakers to adopt his nearly $450 billion jobs plan, promising it would help workers in the construction industry and rebuild schools in crumbling condition.
The occasion had the feel of an Obama re-election rally, right down to the music that played as Obama came out to speak, suit coat off and sleeves rolled up on a sunny day. He tailored his latest pitch to how his proposed legislation would help education, built around a $25 billion spending initiative for school renovations.
“He’s giving me hope,” said Tiffany Randolph, 27. “I wanted to hear there could be jobs for me.”
In her last year studying marketing at Franklin University, Randolph is getting nervous about finding a job when she graduates and hopes the American Jobs Act will work in her favor.
The $447 billion act, handed to Congress Monday, will refurbish schools and offer tax credits for places that hire unemployed workers, creating construction jobs along the way.
“Every child deserves a great school, and we can give it to them,” Obama said.
“We want to help young people find a job next summer.”
The president was then met with chants of “pass this bill.”
Ohio’s unemployment rate currently stands at 9 percent, while the country’s falls almost in line at 9.1 percent.
Voters ages 18 to 29 made up 61 percent of Americans who voted for Obama in the 2008 election, according to CNN exit polls.
But as the 2012 election looms, Obama’s support from youth voters is slipping as unemployment rates escalate.
In June, youths’ approval ratings of the president lessened to 56 percent, according to an Allstate National Journal Heartland Monitor poll.
While Chanel Jack, 18, said she will vote for Obama in 2012, she’s concerned his sagging support will hurt his chances at re-election.
“He’s been fighting for reforms, but (Congress) is not letting him go through with it,” said Jack, who is obtaining an Associate of Arts degree at Columbus State Community College. “I think people should give him a break.”
As Obama’s speech came to a close, he called the audience to lift their voices for all of Congress to hear.
“The time for action is now,” he said. “Let’s show the world again why America is the greatest country on earth.”
—The AP contributed to this article. Alex Stuckey is a fellow in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Statehouse News Bureau.
