Obama: Work together to move U.S. forward

HONOLULU - President Barack Obama says Democrats and Republicans must work together in the new year and share responsibility for moving the country forward.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said yesterday that lawmakers must return to Washington next week prepared to make serious decisions about how to grow the economy in the short run and stay competitive in the future.

Obama said his New Year's resolution is to do everything he can to grow the economy, create jobs and strengthen the middle class, though he warned that the economic recovery is still fragile as the calendar turns to 2011.

Senator-elect Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire delivered the Republican weekly address, and said the next Congress marks a new chapter for the country and the GOP. - AP