US President Barack Obama speaks at the West Wilkes High School in Millers Creek, North Carolina, on October 17, 2011 during the first day of his three-day American Jobs Act bus tour to discuss jobs and the economy. Obama’s tour comes as Republicans and several moderate Democrats remain roadblocks to passing his $447 billion jobs plan in the Senate. AFP Photo/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)