Subject: Travel pool report #9 - construction workers stop

POTUS, with a pint of Guiness, cheers with unemployed construction workers - "To more jobs..."

Motorcade was rolling at 6:58 pm and stopped at 7:01 pm for President Obama's visit with unemployed construction workers an Irish bar in downtown Orlando.

When pool entered, Mr. Obama was already seated with the construction workers (names below) and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer at a table inside Harp and Celt Restaurant & Irish Pub on Magnolia Avenue.

The bar smelled like stale beer. It was mostly empty except some workers, WH staff and a couple of people in the back who appeared to be customers eating and drinking. POTUS and the construction workers sat at a table near the door. The wooden table had a half eaten large plate of nachos in the middle. Apparently the construction workers had been eating them, as they had small plates in front of them. There were 4 bottles of Budweiser on the table. Two were in front of construction workers and one in front of Mr. Dyer and POTUS, but POTUS, then Mr. Dyer, ordered a Guiness instead. One worker had a Corona, and another had a soda. Mr. Obama, seated with his back to the door, was in shirtsleeves. A lifesize cardboard pint of Guiness was propped up behind him in a corner.

POTUS told the workers part of the reason he wanted to stop by is because "Buddy and I" are trying to help create jobs. "You guys are what this country's all about," Mr. Obama said.

POTUS said he wanted to get sense from the unemployed construction workers what they're seeing, how projects are going. One man told POTUS he had worked at the Amway Center. Pool couldn't hear much of the conversation. A version of "Landslide" was playing in the bar (not Fleetwood Mac, maybe Smashing Pumpkins?)

As the group of six talked, someone brought POTUS a Guiness.

"Look at that," he said, examining it. "Now that looks good."

Mr. Dyer thought so too. "Is that a Guiness?" he said. "Can I get one of those, too?"

POTUS then raised his glass and the construction workers raised theirs.

"To more jobs," he said.

And they clinked glasses.

POTUS, chewing gum, continued chatting with the workers as pool was ushered out.

Valerie Jarrett was sitting outside in a chair, talking on her cell phone. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina was standing outside one of the motorcade vehicles down the block.
 
Motorcade was rolling to next fundraiser at 7:30 pm.

(Earlier, after leaving the Sheraton, en route to the bar the motorcade passed people protesting the oil pipeline.)

Background on President’s Stop with Unemployed Construction Workers
 
While in Orlando, President Obama stopped at the Harp and Celt Restaurant & Irish Pub and sat down with four unemployed construction workers who are looking to get back on the job to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure.  The President talked with them about the importance of Congress passing the American Jobs Act to put folks back to work.  President Obama was joined by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer during this stop.
 
Participants
Michael Whidden, unemployed pipefitter from Gotha, FL

Patricia Mooney-Hildebrand, unemployed pipefitter from Titusville, FL

Mark Mckim, Unemployed plumber from Sanford, FL

Jesse Morgan, unemployed pipefitter from Auburndale, FL