“The fact is hardworking Americans across the country don’t want more tired distractions from the issues that matter most—they want to have the basic security of knowing that if they work hard and play by the rules, they can do well enough to raise a family, own a home and have some savings when they retire. That’s what President Obama has been fighting for since day one of his presidency, and we’re seeing the results: 23 straight months of private sector job growth for a total 3.7 million jobs, with American manufacturing creating jobs for the first time since the 1990s. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have proposed economic plans that would explode the deficit by over a trillion dollars and drag our country back to the same failed policies of the past. The choice facing voters in November is clear—the President will continue to move America forward, while the leading GOP candidates would be bad news for the future of our country.”

Tune into the debate on CNN and stop by our debate HQ page beginning at 8 p.m. ET for live fact checks and the Democratic response.

Today, to commemorate the beginning of the Lenten Season, President Obama released the following statement:

"Today, Michelle and I honor Ash Wednesday with Christians around the country and across the world. This is at once a solemn and joyous occasion, an opportunity to remember both the depths of sacrifice and the height of redemption.  We join millions in entering the Lenten Season with truly thankful hearts, mindful of our faith and our obligations to one another."

Romney himself has been clear that he doesn't want to close the loophole. He told Larry Kudlow on CNBC at the end of last month that "my view is that we don't raise taxes on anyone. I'm not looking to single out some group of people and say let's raise taxes." When Kudlow asked, "So you'd keep the carried interest?" Romney didn't hedge: "Yes."

My President and Commander and Chief, Barack Obama, has accomplished more in four years than the preceding administration did in eight years. He ended a war in Iraq, destroyed al Qaeda and help remove Gaddafi from power in Libya. President Obama has made this country safer. He has the economy going in the right direction and 32 million more American citizens now have health insurance. Those are just a few of the outstanding achievements he has accomplished.

President Obama has already made a positive impact on American history with his accomplishments.

As a 91-year-old World War II Disabled Veteran, I am tired of people complaining about my great President and the Commander-in-Chief. I know this could possibly be the last presidential election I see. I yearn for the chance and the honor to be a part of this presidential campaign and work with President Obama on his re-election. As a senior citizen and honorable veteran of America, I look forward to doing my part in this effort.

My President and Commander and Chief, Barack Obama, has accomplished more in four years than the preceding administration did in eight years. He ended a war in Iraq, destroyed al Qaeda and help remove Gaddafi from power in Libya. President Obama has made this country safer. He has the economy going in the right direction and 32 million more American citizens now have health insurance. Those are just a few of the outstanding achievements he has accomplished.

President Obama has already made a positive impact on American history with his accomplishments.

As a 91-year-old World War II Disabled Veteran, I am tired of people complaining about my great President and the Commander-in-Chief. I know this could possibly be the last presidential election I see. I yearn for the chance and the honor to be a part of this presidential campaign and work with President Obama on his re-election. As a senior citizen and honorable veteran of America, I look forward to doing my part in this effort.

Highlighted in the article is the fact that agriculture is the second most productive sector of the US economy with farm exports helping to support 1.15 million jobs here in the US and farm unemployment dropping faster than most jobs that require specialties.

Also highlighted are the 456,000 home loans the Department of Agriculture helped arrange over the past three years with Vilsack saying “it’s our mission to do this; we’ve been working hard to improve the quality of life for people living in rural areas.”

These investments in agriculture continue with President Obama’s 2013 Budget calling for such things as a 23% increase in funding for DOA’s competitive grants program; an increase in the record number of acres of working land in conservation programs; and maintaining a strong safety net to ensure one bad crop won’t put farmers out of business. These programs help ensure the continued success of farming and the many businesses built around it that are so important to the great state of Missouri and this country.

Click here to read Judy Woodruff’s article and here to read Secretary Vilsack’s statement about President Obama’s 2013 Budget and its benefits to farmers.

With a fund of $1.9 billion the Plan is focused on three areas:

• Program 1: Targeted land Fractionation Program to reduce land fractionation in highly fractionated areas
• Program 2: Willing Seller Program to provide flexibility in purchasing fractionated interests from willing sellers
• Program 3: Cooperative Agreements with Tribes to recognize the Department of Interior is exploring criteria that would allow tribes to seek cooperative agreements

The comment period for the draft plan is open until March 19, 2012. For more information on the Cobell Trust Land Consolidation Program please visit: www.doi.gov/cobell . To read the entire White House press release click here.

While he inherited an economy that was spiraling towards a second Great Depression, the president seized the initiative and began laying the foundation for an economy that is built to last.  Not only did he include important funding to keeping teachers in our classrooms and cops on the beat through the Recovery act; but the President is also trying to renew the American values that made the middle class – values like fairness and opportunity where everyone plays by the same rules.  And educating future generations so they can compete against countries like India and China is central to his blueprint.

The President launched “Race to the Top” to rewards schools that provide quality programs for vulnerable children across the country.  And the President has also made a deeper commitment to HBCUs, investing $850 million for these institutions over the next 10 years.  And he’s made it clear to all agencies that supporting HBCUs isn’t just a job for the Department of Education.

While we’ve come a long way over the last three years, there’s still plenty of work left to do.  Click here if you want to learn more about how the President is trying to build an America that lasts.

That's because Romney wants to revert to the failed economic policies of the past that wreaked havoc on our economy and would once again stack the deck against working and middle-class families. He and fellow candidate Rick Santorum have proposed budget plans that would explode the deficit by trillions of dollars and force deep cuts to programs that matter to the middle class—programs like Medicare and Social Security.

And in a state with a large Latino population like Arizona, the choice couldn't be more fundamental on issues that matter to Hispanic Americans: In an attempt to garner favor with the Tea Party, Romney and the Republicans are campaigning on slashing funding for education, Medicare, and Social Security. They oppose the DREAM Act and a path to citizenship for immigrants.

Romney's far-right position immigration stands out to Rep. Xavier Becerra, who calls him "the most extreme presidential nominee of our time."

"There’s a saying in Spanish that sums up Romney’s problem with Latinos. It goes, 'Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.' It means, 'Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.' Well, the Latino community has seen who Romney’s friends are. And that’s all we need to see to know exactly who he is.

"Romney proudly announced the endorsement of Kris Kobach, the godfather of the Alabama and Arizona anti-immigrant laws. Then he flaunted the endorsement of none other than California’s Pete Wilson, whose extreme views on immigration put him well outside the mainstream of everyday Arizonans.

"That’s not how a friend of the Latino community behaves."

Mitt Romney: Disastrous for the middle class, disastrous for Latinos, and disastrous for Arizona.