Sudsy photo-op: As Senate blocks American Jobs Act, the President toasts "to more jobs" with unemployed laborers...Beertrack voters could not be getting more attention from President Obama, who is brewing up support at every opportunity, with things like this and like this. In Orlando, Florida on Tuesday night for two campaign fundraisers, the Beermeister in Chief stopped off at the Harp and Celt Restaurant & Irish Pub on Magnolia Avenue and made a toast "to more jobs" with a group of unemployed construction workers (above).
Clad in his shirtsleeves, the President raised a pint of Guinness shortly after 7:00 PM, just as the Senate was demolishing his hopes for passage of the American Jobs Act.
"You guys are what this country's all about," Mr. Obama told the group of four, as they clinked their beer steins and said "to more jobs."
The White House released a backgrounder on the President's bar hop, because it was an orchestrated photo op to promote the idea that the jobs plan is good for infrastructure jobs. In fact, White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer tweeted:
"POTUS stopped at a bar in Orlando to have a beer with some unemployed workers -- while the GOP was voting to block the American Jobs Act."
The President chewed gum as he sat with his new pals at a wood table in the darkly-lit bar. There was a plate of half-eaten Nachos on the table between them, and bottles of half-empty Buds. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was also part of the beery economic summit; President Obama queried the workers--three pipe fitters and one plumber--on their thoughts on the economy.
After being served his Guinness, the President examined it before raising it in his toast.
"Look at that," he said. "Now that looks good."
The President learned all about Guinness during his visit to his ancestral hometown of Moneygall, Ireland, last May. Dyer requested a Guinness, too, after spotting the President's. First Lady Obama had a different kind of Guinness moment on Tuesday, too.
Pool reported that President Obama's senior advisor Valerie Jarrett was sitting outside in a chair, talking on her cell phone. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina was standing outside one of the motorcade vehicles down the block. Done with his beer interlude, the President was in the motorcade and rolling to his next fundraiser at 7:30 pm.
WH backgrounder:While in Orlando, President Obama stopped at the Harp and Celt Restaurant & Irish Pub and sat down with four unemployed construction workers who are looking to get back on the job to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure. The President talked with them about the importance of Congress passing the American Jobs Act to put folks back to work. President Obama was joined by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer during this stop.
Participants:
Michael Whidden, unemployed pipefitter from Gotha, FL
Patricia Mooney-Hildebrand, unemployed pipefitter from Titusville, FL
Mark Mckim, Unemployed plumber from Sanford, FL
Jesse Morgan, unemployed pipefitter from Auburndale, FL
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*AP photo