Obama touts executive actions with pitch to ‘work together’

In what’s become a recurring theme, the weekly addresses of President Obama and congressional Republicans offered a preview of the two sides’ political strategies heading into this fall’s midterm elections.

Mr. Obama and his fellow Democrats are pushing an income-equality agenda that includes a hike in the nation’s minimum wage and more federal investment into manufacturing, infrastructure, education, and other areas.

The GOP, on the other hand, continues to zero in on the president’s health-care reform law and its negative consequences, a tack the party is sure to continue heading toward the November contests.

In his weekly speech, the president touted the executive steps he took earlier this week, including the launch of two new “manufacturing hubs” to promote innovation, a $600 million infrastructure grant competition and other actions.

“That’s a lot we can do if we work together. And while Congress decides what it’s going to do, I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to rebuild an economy where everyone who works hard has the chance to get ahead — where we’re restoring our founding vision of opportunity for all,” Mr. Obama said.

In the GOP’s weekly address, Rep. Ann Wagner, Missouri Republican, focused entirely on Obamacare and its fallout, namely rising health-care premiums. Congressional Republicans are using the law to paint the president as untrustworthy — a charge they hope will extend to Democrats running for seats in the House and Senate.

“The simple truth is Democrats in Washington are willing to say and do whatever it takes to protect their health-care law,” Ms. Wagner said. “Because it empowers the government and not the American people.”