At Northwestern, Obama touts economic gains

President Barack Obama, in a speech at Northwestern University on Thursday, acknowledged his pivotal role in the midterm political campaign, arguing the November congressional elections are a referendum on his economic policies and blaming Republicans for blocking his efforts to boost wages and create more jobs.

In a speech that marked a shift in attention from foreign entanglements to domestic concerns, Obama laid claim to an economic recovery that he said has made steady progress, yet he conceded that many families have not benefited from lower unemployment, beefed-up corporate profits and a pumped-up stock market.

Obama offered a lengthy defense of his policies, from bailing out the auto industry to his health care law, and he renewed his call for a higher minimum wage and equal pay legislation. He said that while he's not seeking election in November, "these policies are on the ballot, every single one of them."

Promoting pocketbook issues in the homestretch of the midterm election campaign, Obama fluctuated between bullish assurances that the recovery was real and recognition that joblessness and low wages still afflict millions of Americans.

"These truths aren't incompatible," he. "Our broader economy in the aggregate has come a long way, but the gains of recovery aren't yet broadly shared."

He underscored the political climate just four weeks before congressional elections, accusing Republicans of rejecting efforts to increase the minimum wage, refinance student loans or extend unemployment benefits and of pressing for more tax cuts for the wealthy.

"When nearly all the gains of the recovery have gone to the top 1 percent, when income inequality is at as high a rate as we've seen in decades," he said, "I find that hard to swallow."

Obama attended also a high-priced fundraiser in Chicago for Gov. Pat Quinn, who's in the midst of a tough and costly re-election bid against wealthy Republican businessman Bruce Rauner.

Quinn said he was "thrilled" to have Obama back in Illinois and that the president's vision for the economy is "exactly what we've been working to do here in Illinois." He also noted Illinois' unemployment is the lowest it's been in more than six years.

"With the President's help - and the support of the people of Illinois - we will continue getting the job done for working families and keep Illinois moving in the right direction," Quinn said in an emailed statement.

Republicans said Obama couldn't have picked a worse state in which to discuss the economy, noting that Illinois' recovery has been slower than in surrounding states and the unemployment rate remains among the nation's highest.

"The only way to improve Illinois' jobs climate immediately is to fire Gov. Quinn and elect Bruce Rauner," Illinois GOP Chairman Tim Schneider said. Rauner did not issue a statement on the president's visit.

First lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to be in Chicago on Tuesday to assist Quinn's campaign. She also recorded a radio ad for Quinn that began airing earlier this week, in which she says "Barack and I are casting our votes for our friend, Pat Quinn."

Obama's speech Thursday came after Obama spent weeks consumed with international crises, though the White House had always planned to refocus on the economy to assure voters that he hasn't forgotten about their money struggles.

An Associated Press-GfK poll released Wednesday found that the economy is the top issue for the Americans most likely to cast ballots in the midterm elections. Nine out of 10 consider it extremely or very important in deciding their votes for Congress. They have just one month to make up their minds, and Obama plans to speak out more during that time on pocketbook concerns, including a jobs speech Friday in Indiana.

Besides criticizing Republicans for blocking his economic proposals, he also needled his favorite news media target, saying that fewer Republicans were running against his health care plan because "while good, affordable health care might seem to be a fanged threat to freedom on Fox News, it turns out its 's working pretty well in the real world."

As the economy shows signs of improving, however, Obama's challenge has been to walk a delicate line - taking some credit for an economic recovery without seeming to disregard continuing hard times.

"It's very tricky for a president when economies are emerging from recessions," said Matt Bennett, a strategist who has consulted for various Democratic candidates. "It's just very difficult to take credit that you are due - or as much as presidents are due blame or credit for the economy- without sounding a false note for people who still feel very vulnerable."