Obama Strategist Defends Handling of Economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's top political adviser is defending the administration's handling of the economy and blaming Congress for not pushing through more sweeping changes.

David Axelrod says Obama's strategy has been to do whatever he can to help the middle class, whereas Congress has been focused on "obstruction and delay." Axelrod suggests that Republicans are "willing to tear down the economy in order to tear down the president."

Obama has pitched a $447 billion jobs plan that would be paid for with an added tax on people who make at least $1 million a year. Senate Republicans have blocked action on the bill because they oppose much of the increased spending and the tax increase.

Axelrod spoke on CNN's "State of the Union."