The Big Questions: By Mark Halperin

Illustration by Wes Duvall for TIME

Given Beltway gridlock, can Washington do anything about jobs?

It doesn't appear likely. Beyond a few small measures that might get the backing of both parties, the White House and congressional Republicans are still too mired in debt and partisan animus to foster an economic revival.

If not them, who?

Look to the states, where many governors have become job-seeking zealots. Ohio's John Kasich has taken heat for his budget-cutting and antiunion measures, but he has also teamed with universities to better match current curriculums with required worker skills for the present and future. Republican Kasich has used his contacts from...

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