Obama touts stimulus bill benefits

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, building support for his economic stimulus plan, said Saturday it would save or create up to 4 million jobs.

Speaking in his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said a report written by his economic advisers concludes that the vast majority of the new or saved jobs affected by the stimulus measure, which could be as much as $800 billion, would be in the private sector.

"The report confirms that our plan will likely save or create three to four million jobs," Obama said. "Ninety percent of these jobs will be created in the private sector. The remaining 10 percent are mainly public sector jobs we save, like the teachers, police officers, firefighters and others who provide vital services in our communities."

Attempting to refute Republican criticism that too many of the jobs created under the stimulus measure would be short-term, "make-work" positions, the president-elect said, "They'll be the kind of jobs that don't just put people to work in the short term, but position our economy to lead the world in the long-term."

Obama also pointed out the bill would extend unemployment insurance and healthcare coverage.