Dems pivot to jobs … for the 15th time

Leaving aside the hilarity of Senate Democrats announcing a push for more deficit spending on the same day they signed a $2.1 trillion deficit reduction deal, we were curious just ow many times Democrats had promised a change in focus/pivot to jobs since President Obama was sworn into office. Turns out, according to the RNC, that number is at least 15. Here is there list:

1. President Obama Said That The Economy Was His “Overriding Focus.” “This is my administration’s overriding focus.  Having brought the economy back from the brink, the question is how are we going to make sure that people are getting back to work and able to support their families.” (President Barack Obama, “Remarks By The President During The Meeting Of The President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board,” The White House, 11/2/09)

2. White House Plans ‘Very Hard Pivot To Jobs’ Next Month. (Mike Allen, “SIREN: White House Plans ‘Very Hard Pivot To Jobs’ Next Month — Will Be ‘Prescriptive’,” Politico’s “Playbook”, 12/23/09)

3. Obama Says He Will “Have A Sustained And Relentless Focus Over The Next Several Months On Accelerating The Pace Of Job Creation, Because That’s Priority Number One.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At The House Democratic Caucus Retreat, Washington, DC 1/14/10)

4. Obama Told Town Hall In Tampa, Florida That “Creating Jobs Has To Be Our Number One Priority In 2010.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Town Hall Meeting, Tampa, FL, 1/28/10)

5. Obama Told Congressional Republicans That Americans “Want Us To Focus On Their Job Security.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At GOP House Issues Conference, Baltimore, MD, 1/29/10)

6. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY): “Congress Is Focusing On What The American People Want Us To Focus On, Which Is Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.” (Brian Faler, “Tax Break For New Hires Clear Congress In Jobs Bill,” Bloomberg, 3/17/10)

7. “Obama To Focus On Jobs, Rural Economy In Two-Day Midwest Trip.” (Roger Runningen, “Obama To Focus On Jobs, Rural Economy In Two-Day Midwest Trip,” Bloomberg, 4/27/10)

8. “Democrats Shifting Focus Back To Jobs Creation.” (Jackie Calmes, “Democrats Shifting Focus Back To Jobs Creation,” The New York Times, 5/18/10) 

9. The Obama Administration Kicks Off “Recovery Summer … A Six-Week Long Push Designed To Highlight The Jobs Accompanying A Surge In Stimulus-Funded Projects.” “Vice President Joe Biden today will kick off the Obama administration’s ‘Recovery Summer,’ a six-week-long push designed to highlight the jobs accompanying a surge in stimulus-funded projects to improve highways, parks, drinking water and other public works.” (Mike Allen, “Obama, Biden Declare ‘Recovery Summer’,” Politico, 6/17/10)

10. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV): “This Work Period, Like Every Work Period, Will Be About Jobs: How To Create Them, How To Save Them …” (Sen. Harry Reid, Floor Remarks, 7/12/10)

11. Obama Launches A “Hail-Mary Pass To Stimulate The Economy And Create New Jobs.” “Facing a grim unemployment picture and potentially disastrous mid-term elections for Democrats, President Obama is launching the political equivalent of a hail-Mary pass to stimulate the economy and create new jobs.” (Editorial, “Desperately Seeking Jobs,” The Miami Herald, 9/8/10)

12. President Obama Said “We Now Have To Pivot And Focus On Jobs And Growth.” (President Barack Obama, News Conference, Washington D.C., 12/22/10)

13. “The White House Has Quickly Pivoted To Jobs After The President’s State Of The Union.” “Turning to domestic politics, the White House has quickly pivoted to jobs after the president’s State of the Union — even if it’s being overshadowed by the situation in Egypt.” (“First Thoughts: Balancing Act,” NBC News’ “First Read,” 1/31/11)

14. “Obama’s Day: Turning Back To Jobs … President Obama Returns Today To What He Calls His Top Priority: Jobs.” “Though his presidential hours have been crowded by Libya, Japan and other foreign policy challenges, President Obama returns today to what he calls his top priority: jobs.” (David Jackson, “Obama’s Day: Turning Back To Jobs,” USA Today, 4/1/11)

15.  “OBAMA AND SENATE DEMS PLAN PIVOT TO JOBS: Senate Democrats hope they now have ‘checked the box’ on debt reduction and can move to an agenda focused on job creation and economic growth, through a combination of spending and tax cuts.” (Mike Allen, “DEMS PLAN PIVOT TO JOBS: Transportation, Infrastructure, Tax Breaks On Fall Agenda,” Politico’s “Playbook”, 12/23/09)