Obama vows to reignite middle class, find way out of sequester in weekly address

My top priority as President is making sure we do everything we can to reignite the true engine of America's economic growth ' a rising, thriving middle class.

As he has for several weeks, President Obama took up the theme of the ending the sequester for his weekly address, emphasizing more of a "can do" attitude this morning than the theme he's been hitting on in past weeks'Republican obstructionism.

He opened by pointing to yesterday's announcement of promising job numbers and a lower unemployment rate, a record-high stock market and rebound in new housing construction and sales. Continuing that momentum, he said, should be our "north star" as we move ahead in the coming months, looking to lock in these gains and further stabilize and expand the middle class.

That means asking ourselves three questions every day: How do we make America a magnet for new jobs? How do we equip more of our people with the skills those jobs require? And how do we make sure that your hard work leads to a decent living?

He's been reaching across the aisle, he said, meeting with Republicans this week in the White House, talking with members of his own party as well to try and find a way out of the sequester'and to find common ground on immigration and reining in gun violence in the months ahead. Meetings, he said, are planned for next week as well.

President Obama ended with an optimistic flourish'not uncommon for him in his first term, but a tone he's sounded less and less of late:

As Democrats and Republicans, we may disagree on the best way to achieve our goals, but I'm confident we can agree on what those goals should be. A strong and vibrant middle class. An economy that allows businesses to grow and thrive. An education system that gives more Americans the skills they need to compete for the jobs of the future. An immigration system that actually works for families and businesses. Stronger communities and safer streets for our children.

Making progress on these issues won't be easy. In the months ahead, there will be more contentious debate and honest disagreement between principled people who want what's best for this country. But I still believe that compromise is possible. I still believe we can come together to do big things. And I know there are leaders on the other side who share that belief.

To read the transcript in full, check below the fold or visit the White House website.