CINCINNATI (AP) ? Of thousands of U.S. bridges, highways and other infrastructure in need of repair or replacement, President Barack Obama is highlighting one bridge loaded with political ramifications.
Obama’s scheduled visit Thursday to the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River will promote his jobs plan. The White House agrees the location is no accident ? it connects the home states of House Speaker John Boehner (BAY’-nur) of Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
A spokesman says Obama will say that if the Republican leaders would work with him, it would mean construction jobs critical to both their states.
Republican leaders say Obama is most interested in visiting swing state Ohio for his 2012 re-election chances, and that the bridge project is years from being “shovel-ready” for new jobs.