President Barack Obama is kicking off three days of travel to rally support for the job-creation and economic proposals he unveiled in his State of the Union address.

loading...

Obama will launch the effort today in Asheville, N.C., with a visit to Linamar Corp., a supplier of engine and transmission components that has expanded its manufacturing operations. He'll make stops in Atlanta on Thursday and Chicago on Friday.

In his speech before a joint session of Congress last night, Obama called job creation his "North Star." He asked Congress to focus on attracting jobs to the U.S., training American workers and boosting investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy.

Obama also says he wants to raise the minimum hourly wage from the current $7.25 to $9 by the end of 2015.

Obama proposals face quick opposition in Congress

: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) (R) listens as U.S. President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address
: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) (R) listens as U.S. President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address (Charles Dharapak-Pool/Getty Images)
loading...

President Barack Obama set up high-stakes clashes over guns, immigration, taxes and climate change in a State of the Union address that showcased a newly re-elected president determined to mark his legacy in spite of Republicans eager to rein him in.

Obama pushed a raft of new initiatives in his speech last night — initiatives to improve preschool programs and voting, boost manufacturing and research and development, raise the minimum wage and lower energy use.

Republicans who control the House and hold enough votes to stall legislation in the Senate were quick to declare that the government helps best when it gets out of the way.

In the GOP response, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said more government won't help people get ahead.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM