Washington (CNN) -- After a week mostly focused on Iraq and Mideast diplomacy, it's back to the economy for President Obama, who will deliver remarks Friday on the August unemployment numbers.
Then, Obama is scheduled to give two big speeches next week to try to frame his administration's response to the recession, less than two months ahead of a midterm election where Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are on the ropes.
Senior aides confirm the president recently asked his economic team to come up with various proposals he could roll out to show that amid high anxiety across the nation, he's still working hard to jump-start the economy, including more federal spending on infrastructure projects and tax cuts popular with the business community such as a permanent extension of the research and development tax credit.
Obama himself hinted at the options on the table on Monday in the Rose Garden, when he accused Republicans of blocking a separate $55 billion legislation package that would cut small business taxes. Senate Democrats hope to pass the package later this month and get it to the president's desk before the election.
CNN
