A top economist says President Barack Obama’s job plan will likely add 1.9 million jobs and grow the economy by 2 percent.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, also said Obama’s $447-billion plan would likely cut the unemployment rate by a percentage point, United Press International reported on Friday.

The second day in Beijing began in a familiar setting for Vice President Biden. The site of today's U.S.-China Business Dialogue, the Beijing Hotel, was also the site of meetings held during his first trip to China in 1979, when some of the earliest discussions about the possibility of American companies doing business in China took place. Over 30 years later, Vice President Biden and Vice President Xi brought together 19 CEOs and business leaders from the United States and China to bring the conversation into the 21st century. "President Obama and I, we welcome, encourage and see nothing but positive benefits flowing from direct investment in the United States from Chinese businesses and Chinese entities. It means jobs. It means American jobs," said Vice President Biden.

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, August 11, the President will travel to Holland, Michigan, to tour the Johnson Controls Inc. advanced battery facility. 

Sen. Debbie Stabenow will speak at a legislative luncheon for the Holland and Zeeland chambers of commerce on Aug. 9.

Stabenow will give an update on the current issues in Washington D.C. and hold a question and answer session at the luncheon. The one-hour event will take place at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 9 at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center, 650 E. 24th St.

Weekly Address: “Biden on the American Auto Comeback”

(CNN) -- DNA matching is under way on samples from the body of slain terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden, a U.S. government official told CNN on Monday.

There are photographs of the body with a gunshot wound to the side of the head that shows an individual who is not unrecognizable as bin Laden, the official said.

From the Associated Press: More than 1,000 protest Snyder's tax plan at Capitol

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Inside the MDP! 

In order to improve communication with the leadership of the Michigan Democratic Party, we have developed this email newsletter which will be sent every two weeks. It contains information about issues and events inside the MDP which will help Party leadership and keep them informed.

I hope you find it useful. Please give me your feedback - mbrewer@michigandems.com

Mark Brewer

In her weekly radio address, the governor today praised former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver for her service to Michigan and said newly appointed Justice Alton Thomas Davis will be an advocate for all people.

Virg Bernero is looking out for Main Street. He's the candidate who will fight for us and will fight for jobs in Michigan. Its time for us to stand together and send a message to outsourcers and greedy, corporate CEOs. It's time to make Virg Bernero the next governor of Michigan.

Fred Johnson - 2nd Congressional District

If you are a "texter", we strongly encourage you to join this part of the campaign.  Text "Fred" to 25827
July 24th walk, RSVP to Krystal Kauffman at either krystalkauffman23@gmail.com or 231-903-9190.

Virg Bernero - MI Governor

In a letter to congressional leaders, the governor today urged swift passage of legislation to extend critical unemployment insurance assistance programs as well as aid to unemployed workers so they can afford health care.

The governor today renewed her call for state lawmakers to pass anti-bullying legislation.

In her weekly radio address, the governor today said that Michigan’s film incentive program is creating jobs today and for the future.  April 7 will mark the two-year anniversary of the governor’s signing of the legislation creating the program.

The governor today established a Health Insurance Reform Coordinating Council within state government to identify steps that must be taken to ensure that Michigan citizens reap the full benefits outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act signed into law by President Obama last week.

In her weekly radio address, the governor today said that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the single most important reform of America’s health system in decades.

The governor today will meet with officials at Google in California to thank them for their ongoing investment in Michigan and encourage the company to include the state in the testing of Google fiber, its new ultra-high speed fiber optic broadband network.

The governor today applauded a $951,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance the production of biogas and biomethane at the Flint Center of Energy Excellence.

Lieutenant Governor Cherry and Vice President Joe Biden today traveled to Bay and Saginaw counties to highlight the one-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and its positive impact on Michigan’s economy.

The governor and State Budget Director Robert L. Emerson today presented the 2011 executive budget recommendation that invests in our state’s most important priorities: creating jobs, educating children and protecting citizens while building on the steps the governor has taken over the past seven years to address the fiscal challenges caused by the national recession and struggles in the auto industry.

In her final State of the State address on Wednesday evening, Governor Granholm said her administration has set the foundation for a new Michigan economy by diversifying and creating jobs, educating people to fill and create jobs, and helping people transition from the old economy to the new.

In her weekly radio address, the governor said today that Michigan ’s clean energy economy continues to grow with the state receiving a federal grant this week of almost $6 million to train more than 1,000 workers and place them into green jobs.