Obama calls jobs plan insurance against recession

President Barack Obama said today his plan to create jobs and rebuild US highways, bridges and schools was an "insurance policy" against the slowing economy falling back into recession and challenged Republicans to explain to the American people why they are opposed to those measures.

The embattle president also implied that he was changing course in his dealings with Congress, saying he had learned that he got no where by trying to find a middle ground in the huge partisan divide that now splits the American political system.

Facing a tough re-election battle in 2012 and declining approval ratings, the Republicans see Obama as vulnerable and have refused to compromise on any legislative proposal he has sent to Congress since the party regained a majority in the House of Representatives in November 2010.

Therefore, Obama said: "I think it's fair to say that I have gone out of my way in every instance sometimes at my own political peril and to the frustration of Democrats to work with Republicans to find common ground to move this country forward.

That tactic has not worked, he said.

"Each time, what we've seen in games-playing, a preference to try to score political points rather than actually get something done on the part of the other side."

The president said that without his nearly USD 450 billion package of tax cuts and public works spending there will be fewer jobs and weaker growth.

He said the bill could guard against another economic downturn if the situation in debt-laden Europe worsens.

With the plan expected to come up for debate in the Senate next week, he urged every senator to think "long and hard about what's at stake."

"Any senator out there who's thinking about voting against this jobs bill when it comes up for a vote needs to explain exactly why they would oppose something we know would improve our economic situation at such an urgent time," Obama said at a White House news conference.

"Our economy really needs a jolt right now," he said.