2011 Flashback: Obama Jokes About Lack of ‘Shovel-Ready Jobs’ Created From Stimulus

Obama jokes about 'shovel-ready projects' (USA Today)

While meeting with his Jobs and Competitiveness Council today in Durham, N.C., President Obama cracked wise about one of his administration's early catchphrases.

Remember "shovel-ready projects."

Those were construction projects in the 2009 stimulus bill that were supposed to get moving right away -- but jobs council members told Obama today that some got held up because of elaborate government regulations and permitting procedures.