Obama to deliver speech on economy on Thursday

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama plans to speak on the economy on Thursday in what his aides are billing as a major address in which he will offer more details of his proposed economic stimulus plan.

Obama, who takes office on January 20, plans to push for early passage of a two-year package of spending measures and tax cuts likely to total nearly $800 billion.

"He will make the case for urgent action on an American Recovery and Reinvestment plan that will save or create over 3 million jobs while investing in priorities like health care, energy and education that will jumpstart economic growth," the Obama transition team said in a statement.

The speech will be held at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, at 11 a.m. (4 p.m. British time).

(Reporting by Caren Bohan)