Blaming Congress is all he's got and he's going to do it from now until November, 2012.

Speaking before auto workers, the president said that the downgrade wasn't his fault, that the economic conditions weren't his fault, and that the up and down markets weren't his fault. He failed to mention what he might want to take responsibility for, which is an excellent strategy if you want to win re-election in the worst economy in 70 years but doesn't help the millions out of work.

Reuters:

President Barack Obama sought to reassert economic leadership on Thursday by pledging to deliver new ideas every week to create jobs, and he slammed Congress for "bickering" that hurts economic recovery.

In a passionate speech to auto industry workers aimed at deflecting public anger over policy gridlock in Washington, Obama said the refusal to put country ahead of party "has got to stop."

His hopes for reelection in 2012 will hinge on his success in lowering unemployment, currently pinned above 9 percent, and boosting sluggish economic growth, and he promised to deliver fresh approaches.

"I'll be laying out more proposals in the days ahead," Obama, a Democrat, said. The problem was not a lack of answers to the pressing issue of economic growth and hiring, rather it was people "playing political games," he said.

But Obama did not spell out any new initiatives beyond renewing his call for Congress to extend a payroll tax cut, advance trade pacts with South Korea, Panama and Colombia, and deliver patent reform.

Obama has a nasty habit of saying that new ideas and programs will be forthcoming and then never mentioning anything about it again. No one should be surprised if "more proposals in the days ahead" never materialize, or if they do, they will be as silly and stupid as his lame proposals already out there.