What Obama Must Say in His Jobs Speech

President Obama gives his jobs speech next week, and John Nichols of the Nation has some words of advice: Don't blow it. This speech cannot be political boilerplate, for the sake of Obama's presidency and the economy. Nichols offers some suggestions:

• Be specific: Skip vague generalities. He must offer "specific plans, specific goals and specific timelines."
• No compromise: Obama must make clear that his plan can't be watered down—what he failed to do with the 2009 stimulus bill.

• Local jobs: He must acknowledge "that the most severe layoffs right now are taking place at the state and local government and school district levels," a trend that is especially devastating. His plan should include federal funding to local governments to help reverse the trend.
• Funding: Obama must spell out how to pay for his program, and that should include taxing Wall Street and financial speculators.

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