Obama at Disney World: ‘America is open for business’
by George Bennett | January 19th, 2012LAKE BUENA VISTA — With a symbol of Florida’s tourism industry as his backdrop, President Obama today declared that “America is open for business” for foreign tourists who want to spend money here but are hindered by delays and red tape.
Obama announced that his administration is taking steps to increase international tourism, including processing more visas from China and Brazil. He made the announcement on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom with the iconic Cinderella Castle in the background. The area was shut down to regular park patrons and open only to invited guests during Obama’s remarks.
“More money spent by more tourists means more businesses can hire more workers. It’s a pretty simple formula. And that’s why we’re all here today — to tell the world that America is open for business,” said Obama, who spoke for about 15 minutes.
“We will always protect our borders and our shores and our tourist destinations from people who want to do us harm,” the president pledged. “We can make sure that we’re doing a good job keeping America secure while at the same maintaining the openness that has always been the hallmark of America and make sure that we’re welcoming travelers from all around the world.”
Gov. Rick Scott discussed the visa issues while on a trade mission to Brazil last year and welcomes the president’s announcement, Scott spokesman Lane Wright said.
“This is an issue that the governor’s been very interested in for awhile and it’s nice to see Barack Obama come on board,” said Wright, who said Brazilian tourists spent $1 billion in Florida in 2010 and “any break in the visa logjam would mean a flood of more tourism dollars to the Sunshine State.”
Obama’s decision to make the announcement in Florida — a critical swing state — was blasted by Republicans earlier today.
“It’s a campaign trip to a very important battleground state of Florida where the president is doing very poorly,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in a conference call with reporters before Obama arrived. But Priebus said he wasn’t necessarily taking issue with the policy initiatives Obama was announcing.
“I’m not saying that every single thing here is a bad idea,” Priebus said. “He can do a tourism press conference from the White House…This president uses every possible opportunity to campaign in battleground states.”
January 19th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Who has bigger ears :
A. Mickey Mouse
B. Dumbo
C. Well you know who
January 19th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Perfect backdrop for President Goofy.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
That is blatantly distrespectful. You don’t have to like the man, but he deserves nothing but respect. And, in case you didn’t notice, the one before him had ears like satellite dishes. I think he’s doing a great job, and he has my vote here in Florida.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I think he’s doing a great job of destroying our economy, handing over Egypt and Libya to Islamists, bringing racial discord in to each and every discussion no matter how irrelevant, handing over power to unelected Czars, and raising the debt to unprecendented levels which will mathematically ensure a lower standard of living for our children and grandchildren.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Did I forget to mention that he and Eric Holder sold guns to Mexican narco-cartels with absolutely NO TRACKING ATTEMPT even made. Fast and Furious.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Solyndra
January 19th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Leave this guy alone already, he is cleaning up some Coked up Cowboys f$%^ ups.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Instead of crying how about you do something about it? Get real where about 200 years away from a Star Trek like society. So have fun because nothings going to change.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
To much money in politics so they care about walmart more then your dumbass.
January 19th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
I think Rick Scott’s unpopularity in Florida is really going to help Obama win a second term!!
January 19th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@Lady T3
You mean Solyndra, the company that congressional oversite cleared the addministration of any wrong doing and that when liquidated the taxpayers are going to get the money back? That Solyndra? You have some point to make?
January 19th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@Lady T2
You mean the guns that they began selling under the Bush Administration?
That was already going on when Obama took office? Yes, his administration is cleaning up that mess from the Bush era along with 1000 other things.
January 19th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@RENEGADE “when liquidated the taxpayers are going to get the money back?”
Hahahahah… put down the MSNBC crack pipe.
January 19th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@T2 Egypt and Libya have been Islamic for 400 years. I think he is a little young to be responsible for that stupid statement.
Republicans are responsible for 75% of our national debt. Not this President.
You mean like the 129 people Bush appointed without getting Senate approvel?? Those Czars!
You know what Hypocrites are?
January 19th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Obama 2012 !!!
He’s killing R-MONEY in FL according to the new NBC/Marist poll.
Obama 48%
R-MONEY 41%
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/A_Politics/_Today_Stories_Teases/NBC_News-Marist_Poll_Florida_December_2011.pdf
January 19th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Don’t forget to also process more visas from Mexico and Iran. Then make sure you let them stay.
January 19th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
God Bless President Obama!
January 19th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Cinderella’s castle is using architectural tricks to make it look bigger than it really is. Cinderella herself used magic to make her appear looking beautiful to all around her. Cinderella’s castle was the perfect backdrop for the President.
January 19th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Some day my prince will come
Some day we’ll meet again
And away to his castle we’ll go
To be happy forever I know
January 19th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Fantasy Land.. the perfect Obama setting, since he’s lived there for the past three years.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:33 am
@Are you serious
Not the individual taxpayer but the gov’t is in front of the 1 billion worth of investors. So yes I am serious.
That is how the loan contract was drawn up. Maybe you should put away the crack pipe and educate yourself a little.
http://junksciencecom.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/chu-statement-111711.pdf
January 20th, 2012 at 2:38 am
@2012- End of an Error
Seems to me its guys like you that have been living there. Deluding yourselves into thinking you have a prayer of winning back the Whitehouse.
4 More years for our outstanding, historical, President.
How that ” Raise Cain thing going for you??”
January 20th, 2012 at 10:56 am
This will be a curious election cycle to be sure. I am going to be quite entertained IF Obama wins a second term in relationship to all the RWNJ who will be jumping off of roofs all over America.
January 20th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Anybody know which is the tallest building in PBC?
January 21st, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Funny!
Obama shuts down a business location to make a speech saying that the United States is open for business.
More evidence he has no idea what he’s doing.