President Obama just finished speaking to an audience in Columbus, Ohio about the economic stimulus plan. The event kicks off what the White House is dubbing "The Summer of Recovery," a major push to highlight the results of the president's $787 billion stimulus plan -- and to make the case for more spending to goose the economy.

The president did that in Ohio, arguing that projects like the road construction he came to see in downtown Columbus are investments that will pay off in the long run.

At the beginning of his address, the president acknowledged two Democratic candidates in hot Ohio races: Gov. Ted Strickland, who is running for re-election against former Republican congressman John Kasich, and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who is competing with former Republican congressman Rob Portman for Senate.

Below is our live-blog. All times are Eastern.

12:07 p.m.: "We know what we can achieve when we act boldly and invest wisely," the president said

12:06 p.m.: Thanks to investments made by the federal government's recovery program, by 2015, American manufacturers will have 40% of global market for advanced batteries, the president said.

12:04 p.m.: "If we're going to rebuild America's economy, then we've got to rebuild America, period," said the president. He says the nation not only needs to rebuild existing infrastructure but add more. He says other countries should not "get the jump on us" in Internet infrastructure and alternative energy.

Noon: As Vice President Biden would say, "this is a big (pause) deal," said the president, making a joking allusion to an overheard comment by the veep that included an adjective that can't be published in a family newspaper (no, not even on a blog).

11:59 a.m. : More than 100,000 Ohioans are working today because of the economic stimulus, the president said.

(Posted by Kathy Kiely)