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Obama feels nation's economic pain Obama feels nation's economic pain
(1 day later)
By Adi Raval BBC News, Fort MyersBy Adi Raval BBC News, Fort Myers
President Obama's appearance in Florida was reminiscent of his campaign ralliesThe campaign-style town hall event in Fort Myers, Florida, was designed to be all about President Barack Obama and his economic message.President Obama's appearance in Florida was reminiscent of his campaign ralliesThe campaign-style town hall event in Fort Myers, Florida, was designed to be all about President Barack Obama and his economic message.
The approach seemed to work, as the president was regularly interrupted with applause and chants of his campaign slogan: "Yes, we can."The approach seemed to work, as the president was regularly interrupted with applause and chants of his campaign slogan: "Yes, we can."
Mr Obama chose to come to this city near the western coast of Florida because it has the highest percentage of home repossessions in the country.Mr Obama chose to come to this city near the western coast of Florida because it has the highest percentage of home repossessions in the country.
And as he did during the campaign to good effect, Mr Obama tried to present himself as being above the partisan bickering in Washington over the economic recovery package, saying that many in the nation's capital did not fully comprehend the dire circumstances facing ordinary Americans.And as he did during the campaign to good effect, Mr Obama tried to present himself as being above the partisan bickering in Washington over the economic recovery package, saying that many in the nation's capital did not fully comprehend the dire circumstances facing ordinary Americans.
Tweaking a phrase from his campaign, Mr Obama said: "I believe in hope but I also believe in action."Tweaking a phrase from his campaign, Mr Obama said: "I believe in hope but I also believe in action."
Mr Obama also potentially raised the stakes on his own political future by tying the results of the stimulus plan to his own success as president.Mr Obama also potentially raised the stakes on his own political future by tying the results of the stimulus plan to his own success as president.
Plea for helpPlea for help
But some fortuitous timing and the appearance of a financially stricken pensioner may be the elements that help boost Mr Obama's case for the ultimate passage of his financial stimulus package through Congress.But some fortuitous timing and the appearance of a financially stricken pensioner may be the elements that help boost Mr Obama's case for the ultimate passage of his financial stimulus package through Congress.
The president sought to connect with ordinary AmericansThe president sought to connect with ordinary Americans
Midway through the question-and-answer period, an aide handed the president a note staying that the US Senate had passed his economic stimulus plan.Midway through the question-and-answer period, an aide handed the president a note staying that the US Senate had passed his economic stimulus plan.
He immediately announced the results to the packed auditorium.He immediately announced the results to the packed auditorium.
But as the crowd applauded, the president just as quickly reminded them that the deal was not done yet, as now the Senate must reconcile its version of the legislation with that of the House of Representatives.But as the crowd applauded, the president just as quickly reminded them that the deal was not done yet, as now the Senate must reconcile its version of the legislation with that of the House of Representatives.
When this will happen and what compromises might still have to be made is unclear.When this will happen and what compromises might still have to be made is unclear.
And Mr Obama, who critics sometimes accused during campaigning of being unable to connect with ordinary Americans, had no trouble on this front in Fort Myers, in part because of a homeless senior citizen named Henrietta Hughes.And Mr Obama, who critics sometimes accused during campaigning of being unable to connect with ordinary Americans, had no trouble on this front in Fort Myers, in part because of a homeless senior citizen named Henrietta Hughes.
With all eyes and cameras fixed on her, Ms Hughes rose to her feet and pleaded for the president to help her receive financial assistance and shelter.With all eyes and cameras fixed on her, Ms Hughes rose to her feet and pleaded for the president to help her receive financial assistance and shelter.
I just want to thank God that he came here Henrietta HughesI just want to thank God that he came here Henrietta Hughes
As she began to cry, Mr Obama came off the podium to give Ms Hughes a hug and promised that his staff would be in touch with her shortly.As she began to cry, Mr Obama came off the podium to give Ms Hughes a hug and promised that his staff would be in touch with her shortly.
In an interview with the BBC after the event, Ms Hughes, still in tears from the emotion of meeting the president in person, said she believed the White House would help her.In an interview with the BBC after the event, Ms Hughes, still in tears from the emotion of meeting the president in person, said she believed the White House would help her.
"I just want to thank God that he came here," she said. But for now, this three-time cancer survivor has to sleep in her car along with her son, Corey, every night, she said."I just want to thank God that he came here," she said. But for now, this three-time cancer survivor has to sleep in her car along with her son, Corey, every night, she said.
A White House official said the administration had been given her contact details.A White House official said the administration had been given her contact details.
For today, Mr Obama can leave Fort Myers knowing that he has regained some momentum on what he calls the most pressing issue his administration is currently facing.For today, Mr Obama can leave Fort Myers knowing that he has regained some momentum on what he calls the most pressing issue his administration is currently facing.
A senior White House official suggested there could be more of these events in the near future, saying: "Expect a lot more domestic travel soon."A senior White House official suggested there could be more of these events in the near future, saying: "Expect a lot more domestic travel soon."
Next stop for Mr Obama will be Peoria, Illinois, on Thursday - a city where more than 24,000 jobs were lost during last month alone. Next stop for Mr Obama will be Peoria, Illinois, on Thursday.
State officials say Illinois lost 36,000 jobs in December - and many fear the January employment figures could be worse.