HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama says Democrats and Republicans must work together in the new year and share responsibility for moving the country forward.
In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama
said Saturday that lawmakers must return to Washington next week prepared to
make serious decisions about how to grow the economy in the short run and stay
competitive in the future.
"I'm willing to work with anyone of either
party who's got a good idea and the commitment to see it through," Obama
said. "And we should all expect you to hold us accountable for our
progress or our failure to deliver."
Obama said his New Year's resolution is to do
everything he can to grow the economy, create jobs and strengthen the middle
class, though he warned that the economic recovery is still fragile as the
calendar turns to 2011.
The president taped his weekly address from Hawaii,
where he is spending the holidays with his family.
Senator-elect Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire
delivered the Republican weekly address, and said the next Congress marks a new
chapter for the country and the GOP.
"We're keenly aware that the American people
are relying on us to change business-as-usual in Washington, and we're
well-positioned to do just that," Ayotte said.
The newly elected senator said Republicans will
focus in the new year on reducing the size of government, cutting wasteful
spending and creating conditions to allow businesses to grow and hire. Ayotte
also said the U.S. must remain vigilant in the face of continuing threats from
terrorists.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
(AP
Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
