Obama Rallies Support in Hard-Hit Fort Myers

'You have seen hardship,' Obama tells supporters

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2009 11:45 AM CST

(Newser) – President Obama headed to Fort Myers, Fla., today to rally support for his economic stimulus plan, telling residents “when the town is burning, you don't check party labels. Everybody needs to grab a hose,” the Miami Herald reports. Obama picked Fort Myers because its county has the highest foreclosure rate in Florida and has seen unemployment climb to 10%.

“You have seen hardship,” Obama told an enthusiastic crowd of 1,500.
“Families across this city feel like they're losing their foothold in the American Dream. So we are going to do everything we can to help responsible homeowners here in Fort Myers and other hard-hit communities stay in their homes.”

President Barack Obama smiles upon his arrival at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama greets well wishers upon arriving at MacDill Air Force Base in Fort Myers, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Obama waves as he leaves Air Force One upon his arrival in Fort Myers, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

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Obama Rallies Support in Hard-Hit Fort Myers

'You have seen hardship,' Obama tells supporters

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It's the Anti -Stimulus We Should Be Worried About

State budget cuts are wiping out the effects of the stimulus

Obama's Economics Are Working

Ignore the political crowd, the president's been great for business

1 Year In, Stimulus Has Saved 2M Jobs

Critics who say it's failed are off base: David Leonhardt

Dems Will Regret Not Being Bolder on Economy

Voter backlash is about failure to lower unemployment

Stimulus Worked: Economists

Good news for prez ahead of today's job-loss report

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Obama Rallies Support in Hard-Hit Fort Myers

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It's the Anti -Stimulus We Should Be Worried About

State budget cuts are wiping out the effects of the stimulus

Obama's Economics Are Working

Ignore the political crowd, the president's been great for business

1 Year In, Stimulus Has Saved 2M Jobs

Critics who say it's failed are off base: David Leonhardt

Dems Will Regret Not Being Bolder on Economy

Voter backlash is about failure to lower unemployment

Stimulus Worked: Economists

Good news for prez ahead of today's job-loss report

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