President Barack Obama Visits Denver: Speech At Abraham Lincoln High School Tuesday (PHOTOS)

It has been more than three years since that historic night at Invesco Field when Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, but Tuesday, President Obama will return to Denver and speak at Abraham Lincoln High School to a changed Colorado.

The national economy is in a period of what appears to be prolonged downturn. The statewide economy is facing budget cuts and shortfalls. According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate reached a staggering 9.3 percent in Colorado in February 2011 and now holds at 8.5 percent -- nearly double the 4.9 percent rate when Obama visited in 2008.

Today at Abraham Lincoln High School, in one of Denver’s most impoverished neighborhoods, Obama has an ideal venue talk about the future economy and what he can do to to get Americans back to work. He is expected to speak about his $447 billion American Jobs Act as part of a series of seven fundraisers and speeches down the West Coast over the last two days in Washington state and California and he’s acknowledged that this election is not like 2008, according to The Associated Press.

And as many have certainly lost faith, there is still a lot of hope left in Obama's supporters. The Associated Press reported recently that despite the feelings of frustration, 8 out of 10 people consider Obama a likable person and about half said he understands the problems of ordinary people. Even of those people that felt the United States is headed in the wrong direction, 43 percent still had a favorable opinion of the president. Jeremy Bird, Obama’s national field director, told Denver volunteers recently:

Yes, people are frustrated with the economy, with jobs. But when they look at the president, the president’s character... they’re all in support.

Obama’s own message of hope and change is still present, although shifted slightly from 2008. The Gazette reports that in front of about 120 Hollywood supporters at a Monday night Los Angeles fundraiser, the President spoke about Americans desire for a “bold and generous” vision of the U.S., not the “cramped” one that the Republicans are offering:

It’s about values, it’s about character, it’s about who we are.

9News reports that the President is expected to arrive at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora and is scheduled to speak at 2:15 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln High School. A limited amount of tickets were available beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday and were gone about an hour later.

RATE IT!   |  

VOTE

CURRENT TOP 5 PICK YOUR OWN TOP 5

USERS WHO VOTED

NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

Earlier on HuffPost:

Comments

[field-man]

04:29 PM on 09/29/2011

"We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself
into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and
trying to lift himself up by the handle."

- Winston Churchill

[whitefairlane]

02:14 PM on 09/28/2011

Failed to mention the mistake of what state he was in??

[marchesiello5]

01:11 PM on 09/28/2011

I sure hope he loses in 2012. Obama don't even know who he is, at times he thinks is a Abraham Lincoln , than Ronald Reagan, then Thomas Jefferson. But really he is a Jimmy Carter.

[unitedasone]

01:27 PM on 09/28/2011

He's not the only one that's got to go. We need to get rid of ALL career politicians.

[VoteThemAllOut]

10:05 AM on 09/28/2011

It is interesting that Obama threatens reductions to those who have earned their Social Security retirement, to the Medicare coverage of seniors, to the retirements of the military, etc. yet you never hear one word about cutting off all of the taxpayer dollars being expended for the ILLEGALS in this country. You never hear about cutting off the food stamps, cutting off subsidized housing, cutting off wellfare check, etc given to ILLEGALS. How about cutting off those hundreds of millions or billions to the ILLEGAL and using that funding to finance Obama's 'jobs' program?

Cut off the 'freebies' and how many would return to Mexico or where ever and how many more would decide to stay in their own country? How many jobs would this open for Citizens of this country?

[Decorina]

07:49 PM on 10/10/2011

You clearly need a refresher course in basic math.

[WCVoice]

11:26 PM on 09/27/2011

Say all you want about Obama and the Democrats. But Larimer County Republicans are far worse. All they care about is their bankroll and they could care less about the representatives, they represent.

All-Republican Larimer County Commissioners brush-off resident concerns in favor of LDS Temple
http://www.wcvoice.com/index.php/news-lds-temple/67-larimer-county-commissioners-brush-off-resident-concerns-in-favor-or-lds-temple

[Nonpartay]

01:06 AM on 09/28/2011

Republicans in general don't care about their constituents. I'm not sure what they do care about other than getting rid of President Obama and catering to their rich donors. They don't do anything in Congress but go on vacation 1/3 of the time, carrying on a tradition established by George Bush. Then they whine about Obama making speeches across the country. At least he's trying to do something for the people to help get them back to work and fix our ailing infrastructure. What are Republicans trying to do? Figure out another way to scam the public into thinking they are worthy of holding office, that they know how to govern? Please.

[maab76]

09:28 AM on 09/28/2011

Do you have a proposal as to the value of the part-time employment of the House of Representatives? Seems to me that the public sector has specific rules for the division of time and remuneration. And if you fall below half-time, all benefits beyond retirement contributions are voided. Do we need legislation to ensure the 40 hour week for our reps?

[field-man]

10:37 PM on 09/27/2011

The president promoted himself as a “warrior” for the middle class on this early campaign swing, but he raised an estimated $7 million by hobnobbing with moguls of the entertainment and high-tech industries. Among the Hollywood VIPs who turned out for Mr. Obama at a $17,900-per-plate dinner late Monday night at the chic Fig & Olive restaurant on Melrose Place in Los Angeles Obama says what sets his campaign apart from any other is that “we rely on ordinary Americans giving what they can – one grassroots donation at a time.”

Then again, super-wealthy elitist liberals are “ordinary” in Obama’s world.

[Nonpartay]

01:11 AM on 09/28/2011

So? What do you expect him to do? Ignore the money and lose the election? Sorry, but that's not how political campaigns work. He could get $100 million in government funding, but that would barely scratch the surface of what's needed in today's campaigns with billionaires giving so lavishly to get their candidates in office so they can avoid paying taxes and having to conform to environmental and safety regulations. I'm sure we'd all prefer if he could spend all his time at his desk, working on plans and stuff (though I'm sure you'd prefer really that he didn't do anything), but as with almost every elected official these days, they all have to spend a lot of time raising money. And now with Citizens United, they really don't have a choice. The Supreme Court took "Money talks" literally and made it into a decision. Now we all get to live with it. :(

[field-man]

07:46 AM on 09/28/2011

Well I think he will lose the election anyway, regarless of how much money he has
during President Obama’s three-day swing through Washington State, California and Colorado, he fielded questions at a town hall meeting in Silicon Valley and visited a high school in Denver. Two official events to promote his jobs plan. Compare that to seven fundraisers he headlined, raising at least $8 million for his re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

Who paid for the trip? You did. And so did we. Taxpayers are footing the bill for almost the entire trip, which also cost millions of dollars

[EncourgingDebate]

01:35 AM on 09/28/2011

It has occurred to you that the POOR even show up to his fund raisers right ?

They are not visible but hidden from the public's eyes in the form of being HOMELESS and HUNGRY !

Amazing that anyone can figure out why a Cheeseburger and a soda could cost $17,900 dollars, must be very expensive BEEF !

I can hear everyone starting to yell " Where's the BEEF ! "

[ABQ-Mike]

09:16 PM on 09/27/2011

Obama has an awful lot to say about jobs for a guy who is about to be laid off himself in a few months.. (Chuckle)

[EncourgingDebate]

01:37 AM on 09/28/2011

I wouldn't call it "Laid-Off", I would say he is going to be handed a PINK-SLIP !

[ABQ-Mike]

09:18 AM on 09/28/2011

You're right and I hope the door doesn't hit him in the @-ss on the way out.
Oh wait. Yes I do.

[crystalveg]

07:24 PM on 09/27/2011

Thousands Line Up In Philadelphia For Food Stamps
Boo_yea the government needs to hire people to handle the increase demand for food stamps. Food stamps need to be printed hence government contracted printing companies increase with higher food stamps needed. Printed food stamps must be transported to said distribution locations..Office space is now required to meet increasing demands of the starving. Feel free add on…. And remember this just segment of the Government CHANGE YOU can BELIEVE IN…..
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/09/27/thousands-line-up-in-philadelphia-for-food-stamps/

[Nonpartay]

01:15 AM on 09/28/2011

Well, you can blame Republicans for all this. They left the huge, hot, steaming pile for President Obama when he took office and then they stood around and locked arms so he couldn't clean up their mess. He's out there trying to get his Jobs Act passed, and what are Republicans doing? They're on vacation. They're sitting pretty, of course, with their nice fat salaries, and they only work 2 weeks out of 3. Must be nice. For them. For the rest of us? Not so much.

[GirlOutWest]

10:41 PM on 09/27/2011

Flagged.

[DenverBigDaddy]

05:53 PM on 09/27/2011

Only $200K for Government to create a job........Geithner considers this a bargain:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/geithner-good-chance-jobs-act-pass/story?id=14609951

[Nonpartay]

01:22 AM on 09/28/2011

Please. Think. That's why God gave us brains. A job that costs $200,000 to create will create much more than that over the life of the worker. For one thing, that job is not just for a year. It will last many years. Second, the money that worker makes can then be spent and will stimulate demand for goods and services that will mean businesses will have to hire people. That creates more jobs, which creates more demand, which creates more jobs, and all these workers pay taxes. You have to think beyond your little world of conservative talking points. A job is not a one-shot deal, it is a gift that keeps giving by circulating money throughout the economy. To diminish efforts of government to create jobs when private industry flat refuses to do anything (I guess they want to get rid of Democrats, too, so they're happy to tank the economy so people will blame them and not vote for them next time), is just ridiculous. It is our government's job to "promote the general welfare," which is in the Constitution, and seeing that everyone is employed is all part of that. So please, stop whining and support your president. He is doing a heluvalot more for you than Republicans ever have or ever will.

[panamarine]

05:08 PM on 09/27/2011

Some people on this post are complaining about too many speeches. [Pause] Ok, what do they expect him to do? Sit in the White House and stay silent? They don't realize tht he has to get out into the country and TALK to the people. Let them know what the plans and goals are. How else are they going to know? And I bet you that IF he just holed up in the White House, they would be calling him a recluse and a say nothing do nothing President. Boy, you can't win with these narrow minded people ! No how. Its Damn if he does and Damn if he DOESN'T. The best thing he can do is continue to do what he's doing and Ignore the howling packs.

[Mary Mendy]

06:25 PM on 09/27/2011

You don't get it, people expect him to sit in white house and create a jobs bill, at the same time telepathically give the American people the message, he's multitalented like that you see

[panamarine]

09:57 AM on 09/28/2011

Mary Mendy....I get your sarcasm and the irony in your comment (positively seeing it my way) {{{laugh}}}.
I get it.
But as you can see, its the other side (Republicans-all of them) who will object to his speeching the country. They would prefer he stayed silent so they could criticize him on THAT! You just CAN'T please them...I mean Obama can't. They don't want to be pleased.

[GirlOutWest]

10:42 PM on 09/27/2011

f/f

[fallenawayrepublican]

04:46 PM on 09/27/2011

The GOP will put up all the road blocks it can to keep Obama from making any headway with our problems. Who does the GOP think all those unemployed people are going to vote for?

GOP = The Flat Earth Party

[Nonpartay]

01:30 AM on 09/28/2011

Goofballs on Parade. Grand Oldsters Party.

If they have their way, none of those people will vote. They're doing their best to make sure they can't with all their voter suppression laws. F&F and congratulations for getting away from that party, btw. It's really more like a cult these days than a political party. You really gotta wonder. What are they thinking????

Republicans – destroying wealth for Americans since the 1920s.

[GirlOutWest]

10:43 PM on 09/27/2011

Are you the one in front? Bet so.

[Johnmgq]

04:23 PM on 09/27/2011

Really. Are people buying this crap again.?? I can't imagine Obama runing his campaign again as change 2. Don't people learn anything.

[Re-thinkit]

04:30 PM on 09/27/2011

What are your ideas? I know TAX CUTS. Yeah, that's worked so well.

[DenverBigDaddy]

05:54 PM on 09/27/2011

As opposed to $200K per job to create? http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/geithner-good-chance-jobs-act-pass/story?id=14609951

[Johnmgq]

02:13 PM on 09/29/2011

actually, I will let you know what my idea actually is. It is not tax cuts.
Is what you do:
you send everyone in the country that paid taxes a $2000-$5000 voucher depending upon how much taxes they paid to the government.
These vouchers can only be utilized by companies that are already registered online with the government website to be approved to accept these vouchers.
The vouchers have no cash value. And they must be used within 30 days.
This way it does two things,
it allows individuals who pay taxes, to get something back and areforced to spend it in the economy.everyone forgets when Bush gave a $600 check to everyone in the economy spiked.
Secondly, it allows the businesses to gain some added revenue. If we continue to do this on a monthly basis, these businesses will have to hire more people, whether it be for shipping customer service, etc.
The point is, that trickle down economics worked in the past, but will not work now .
We have to jumpstart the economy by utilizing these vouchers from the ground up. Plus, the vouchers have a number which can easily be tracked, to whom they were sent. So you cannot resell these vouchers. In fact, when they're redeemed they are checked at the point-of-sale online.

[hungryaardvark]

04:18 PM on 09/27/2011

Obama is not tested on stage. And the Democrats are not tested when listening to him. He will be tested when/if he actually stands up to the Rs in some way that isn't trying to claim that he has achieved a victory by crawling over a hurdle no nigher than the thickness of a gas station receipt. We haven't seen that yet. Only consistent SHOWING that he is progressive will be acceptable. No more empty words. No more caving when strength is needed. He is finally setting his own bar. Whether he clears it and raises it further is up to him. If he crashes again, he's toast.