Old news Obama: Asia has a head of steam and US is stuck on track

“Obama back from Asia pumping economic competition

By Scott Wilson

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 14, 2010; 8:47 PM

President Obama returned from Asia on Sunday with a warning to Republican congressional leaders and the American public, saying the United States is "going to have to step up our game" to compete with the potent Asian economies he witnessed.

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Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Obama said he learned during his 10-day trip that "all of Asia is eager for American engagement and leadership," adding that after a period of difficult economic times at home "there's a tendency for us to think that somehow Asia is moving and we're forgotten."

"We should feel confident about our ability to compete, but we are going to have to step up our game," he said, adding that spending on education and in other areas that are important to long-term economic development should be a priority.

Obama left Washington soon after the Nov. 2 midterm elections, which handed Democrats a sharp setback with the loss of their House majority and a handful of Senate seats. He will meet this week with emboldened Republican leaders to identify issues on which the two parties can work together, such as the expiring George W. Bush-era tax cuts and an arms-control agreement with Russia.

But before his planned meeting Thursday at the White House with congressional leaders from both parties, Obama warned Republicans, in particular, that "campaigning is different than governing."”