Obama promotes energy-jobs program in Savannah

By Jeremy Redmon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

SAVANNAH -- Barack Obama made his first visit to Georgia as president on Tuesday to pitch a new jobs initiative and rub elbows with fellow Democrats as several congressional seats and the governor’s mansion are up for grabs in the Peach State.

Speaking at an invitation-only event at Savannah Technical College, Obama promoted a Cash for Clunkers-like rebate program for people who make their homes more energy efficient with new roofs, heating units and insulation. Homeowners could be eligible for up to $3,000 in rebates through the “Homestar” program, an initiative he mentioned in his State of the Union address in January. Obama wants the program included in a jobs package being drafted by Congress.

The White House says the program would create “tens of thousands” of jobs, cut energy bills for families by $200 to $500 per year and reduce the nation’s dependence on oil. Administration officials said they are still working with Congress on the details but confirmed it could cost about $6 billion and that 2 million to 3 million households would participate.

“I'm convinced that the country that leads in clean energy is also going to be the country that leads in the global economy,” Obama said after touring a Savannah Tech classroom where students were learning how to do home construction work.

Obama, who noted that the unemployment rate for the construction industry is nearly 25 percent, acknowledged several local contractors during his speech, saying they could do some of the energy-efficiency work. He then joked with women in the audience, urging them to tell their husbands to hire professionals to do the work.

“He'll be stubborn," Obama said to laughter. "He'll tell you he can do it, but don't listen to him."

Obama also touted his economic stimulus program, his health care measures and his recent decision to provide federal loan guarantees to build two reactors at Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle near Augusta. As Obama’s motorcade arrived at the college Tuesday morning, supporters and opponents lined the streets. Some chanted and hoisted signs declaring: “No Nuclear Bailout” and “No Obamacare Healthcare.”

“This health care program is not the way to go,” said Bob McEwen, a Savannah resident and member of the 13th Colony Patriots, a fiscally conservative Tea Party group. “We think they should kill this thing and start from scratch.”

Though he didn’t bring it up, Obama arrived amid tumultuous times in Georgia politics. Republican U.S. Reps. John Linder of Gwinnett County and Nathan Deal of Gainesville both recently announced they are leaving office. Linder said Saturday that he won't seek re-election, and Deal announced Monday that he'll resign next Monday to focus on his race for governor.

Savannah Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow, meanwhile, is facing a potentially tough re-election race in November and is considered a key vote for Obama’s health care measures. Obama acknowledged Barrow and other Georgia congressmen in the audience at his speech.

At the same time, Democrats are seeking to recapture the governor’s mansion. Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue, who is facing term limits, will leave office in January after two terms. At least one Democratic gubernatorial candidate attended Obama’s speech: Georgia House Minority Leader DuBose Porter.

Obama picked a friendly place to visit in Georgia. He handily carried Chatham County in 2008, winning 57 percent of the vote there, though he lost Georgia as a whole to GOP rival John McCain. The Savannah area’s unemployment rate is now at 8.6 percent, compared with 10.3 percent statewide and 9.7 percent nationally.

During his visit, Obama also underscored his $787 billion economic stimulus program, saying it had funded transportation projects and helped prevent layoffs in Georgia. With $6.2 billion in federal stimulus funds, Georgia ranks 10th among states in the amount awarded, according to recovery.gov. It ranks ninth in population among the 50 states, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Georgia has received stimulus grants to shore up state and local government budgets, weatherize homes for low-income people, place youths in a summer jobs program and fund university research.

Georgia’s GOP congressmen have been particularly vocal critics of the stimulus program. They say it has mostly saved the jobs of government workers and school employees while failing to prevent unemployment rates from rising. Proponents, however, argue the spending has helped lessen the impact of the recession by preventing many layoffs.

Rep. Jack Kingston, a Republican from Savannah and stimulus opponent, attended Obama's speech. A spokesman for the congressman said “it came down to respect for the office of the president.” Perdue, who also has political differences with Obama, was the first to greet the president as he emerged from Air Force One at Hunter Army Airfield on Tuesday morning.

Later in the day, Obama visited workers at Chatham Steel Corp., a steel service center, and then Meddin Studios, a digital media production and distribution company. He had lunch at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room in the city's historic district. With fried chicken piled on a plate in front of him, Obama glanced at reporters nearby and said he didn’t want any lectures about his cholesterol, an apparent reference to his recent medical checkup. He then urged the witnesses around him: “Don’t tell Michelle.”

Staff Writer Bob Keefe contributed to this report from Washington.