Obama to Congress: Jobs bill can't wait

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Imploring Congress to follow his lead, President Barack Obama lobbied lawmakers yesterday to adopt his nearly $450 billion jobs plan, promising it would help workers in the construction industry and rebuild schools in crumbling condition.

Said Obama: "My question to Congress is, what on earth are we waiting for?"

From a high school in the critical electoral state of Ohio, Obama delivered a fiery speech to plug his plan. The outdoor audience was receptive to the point of adopting his refrain and chanting it back to him, shouting: "Pass this bill!"

The event had the feel of a re-election event, 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 in-itiative for school renovations.

In Ohio alone, Obama said, the bill would create jobs for tens of thousands of construction workers. Republican lawmakers who control the House, however, flatly oppose his plans to pay for his proposal by raising taxes on wealthier Americans.

In trying to win over the voting public and build pressure on Congress, Obama has made his pitch in Virginia, the home state of House Republican Leader Eric Cantor, and Ohio, home of House Speaker John Boehner. He travels today to North Carolina.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Obama was essentially daring Republicans to vote against his ideas. "I think most people see through all this," McConnell said.

Obama's jobs package would offer tax cuts for workers and employers by reducing the Social Security payroll tax. Spending elements include more money to hire teachers, rebuild schools and pay unemployment benefits. There are also tax credits to encourage businesses to hire veterans and the long-term unemployed.

He proposes to cover most of the cost, nearly $400 billion, by limiting the deductions on charitable contributions and other items that wealthy people can take.

"We've got to make sure that everybody pays their fair share including the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations," Obama said outside Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School. "We've got to decide what our priorities are."