Obama to head out on 'listening' tour

President Barack Obama will take a three-day bus tour through the American Midwest this month to hear people's concerns about the economy and talk about measures to boost growth and job creation.

President Barack Obama will take a three-day bus tour through the American Midwest this month to hear people's concerns about the economy and talk about measures to boost growth and job creation.


White House press secretary Jay Carney said the president would be on the road between August 15 and August 17 "listening and addressing these very important issues," but declined to provide further details at this stage.


Obama on Tuesday urged Congress to extend the payroll tax cut and emergency unemployment benefits, due to expire at the end of this year, and said he would be talking about other ideas to lift the economy in the weeks ahead.

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Obama made his remarks during a statement heralding a deal to lift the country's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling that will cut the deficit by $2.1 trillion over 10 years.

This removed the immediate risk of default, but potentially limits the scope for additional government spending to encourage more hiring.