Senator Rob Portman says President Obama "gives a good speech".

But the Ohio Senator says he's expecting bipartisan action when it comes to jobs and the economy.

Talking to reporters on a conference call before the President's speech Thursday about jobs, Senator Portman says any solution should not include raising the debt level.

"Part of our problem is, the fact, that we have these record and growing debts and deficit," Senator Portman commented, "and we need to take steps immediately to address that problem."

Senator Portman says anything that helps get the economy going should involve both sides in Washington.

"What we ought to be talking about is a bipartisan approach to job creation," Senator Portman said, "that is pro-growth, that is permanent, that makes changes in some of our fundamental approaches, including taxes, and regulation, and health care, and job training."

He called for more regulatory relief as a key ingredient to jumpstart the economy.