As some of you may not know, I’m a native of Peoria, IL.  Yesterday our Prophet President (saaaaave me, Obama, saaaaaaaaaave me!) made a stop at the Caterpillar plant to help close the deal on the U.S.Stinker knows as the porkulus. Now growing up in Peoria, you soon realize that literally everyone and their dad AND uncle works for Caterpillar. So the company’s dealings are a pretty big deal in P-town and people take it seriously.  Outside of my grandfather, I think my family is like one of 20 that doesn’t have a direction connection to the company. 

So here’s the scoop (via Black & Right). Obama gets up and gives his speech to the factory works…no worries, the preacher voice was in tow. Here’s what he says -

President Obama today repeated the claim we asked about yesterday at the press briefing that Jim Owens, the CEO of Caterpillar, Inc., “said that if Congress passes our plan, this company will be able to rehire some of the folks who were just laid off.” Caterpillar announced 22,000 layoffs last month.

And theeeeeeeeen, cue the CEO of Caterpillar.

Well, apparently, Obama IS the only one who thinks so. Oooops – that’s a fucking understatement.  What an embarrassment – but during the circus start of this administration I’m not really surprised.

Oh, where are you going, folks? Where aaaaaaare you going? I didn’t say the fun stopped. Oh no.

Turns out Obama also tried to invoke some bipartisanship play some bully politics with the freshman Congressman Aaron Schock  (who represents the Peoria district). I guess things didn’t go according to plan (via HotAir).  During Obama’s grandstanding in Peoria, the President said the following:

“Aaron’s still trying to make up his mind about our recover package,” Obama said to the employees in the crowd. “And so we know that all of you are going to talk to him after our event, because he’s a very talented young man.  I’ve got great confidence in him to do the right thing for the people of Peoria.”

Congressman Schock showed his “appreciation” today on the House floor.

Today Rep. Schock said on the House floor that “I found it very interesting that after the president finished his speech and I stayed around, not one employee at that facility approached me and asked me to vote for this bill.”  In fact, said Schock, “I have received over 1,400 phone calls, e-mails and letters from employees alone asking me to oppose this legislation.”  Why!? Because, Schock said, “They know that this bill is not stimulus. They know that this bill will not do anything to create long-term, sustained economic growth. This bill is too big to get it wrong.”

There’s more in the video. Classic. P-town is calling out the President! Represent! (Okay, I’m officially a dork.)