US President Barack Obama walks on the stage to speak 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)