Waiting for Obama's magic

[Gerald]

It is President Obama's big speech on jobs tonight.

Big? Many commentators are convinced there will be nothing new in it.

The markets have discounted it. Congressional Republicans aren't waiting with bated breath. But it is a big deal for those who want to believe in Mr Obama.

I've been to Richmond, Virginia's state capital, to hear from a couple of people about what they expect.

Despite the recession, Jeff Neal's electronics business Commercial One has boomed. His electronics firm rewires homes and companies, and business is booming.

At the depth of the recession, he was down to one employee - himself. Now, he employs eight others and is hiring more.

His slogan is: "building a tradition of excellence one project at a time".

"The economy is not good, obviously, but this environment is going to promote true excellence." But he says certainty about work is important.

"I don't want to hire anybody today that I am going to lay off tomorrow."

He voted for Mr Obama in 2008 and thinks this is an important speech.

"He has had time to receive all the information and is about ready to make some decisions. It's been a long time coming; some say it's overdue. I'm waiting to see what he's got to say."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14831130


Note: 8 September 2011 Last updated at 05:19 GMT