Discuss as:  Obama discusses economy, politics in Missouri
KANSAS CITY -- In a visit here to an electric vehicle
manufacturer, President Obama argued the U.S. economy is "headed
in the right direction," as he directly called out his
Republican critics, saying some have "made the political
calculation that it's better to obstruct than to lend a hand."
With the midterm elections drawing near, there was a clear
political undertone to the president's remarks at this
manufacturing plant, which received $32 million dollars in
stimulus funds to develop electric-powered delivery trucks.
Obama said those "who argue that we ought to abandon our
efforts" should visit plants like this one, which he said would
be out of businesses without the government's financial
incentives and tax breaks.  He defended his administrations'
economic policies, saying investments in clean energy has
created private-sector jobs that he promised will continue to
grow in the green technology sector for years to come.  While
explaining that