Says It All: Bush Lauds Economy Despite Employment Data

[DrFunkenstein]

STRATHAM, N.H. - President Bush told New Hampshire voters Friday that the nation's economy is improving, even as the latest unemployment report shows weakness in the creation of jobs.

"I'm not going to be satisfied until everybody who wants to work can find a job," Bush told cheering supporters at a picnic in New Hampshire, where recent polls show him tied with rival John Kerry.

Bush's remarks followed the release of new figures showing the nation's economy added 32,000 jobs in July, representing the smallest gain in hiring since December. Analysts were expecting the economy to add anywhere from 215,000 to 247,000 jobs in July. Monthly job growth of 200,000 to 300,000 is regarded by many economists as a yardstick for healthy economic recovery.

In addition to the meager job gain for July, the government revised the June employment report, showing a gain of just 78,000 jobs, even less than previously reported. May's payrolls also were revised down to show a gain of 208,000.

"Today's employment report shows our economy is continuing to move forward," Bush told the crowd in the only Northeastern state he won in the 2000 election.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&e=1&u=/ap/bush_economy



Kiss that baby goodbye!

[Catfight]

1. Bush saying to himself, "I know the puppet hole is somewhere, hold

still kid, Dick does this to me every day!"

[noahmijo]

2. This picture proves Bush is an alien

He's trying to suck the brains outta that poor baby so he'll grow up and be a good ol Republican!

[depakid]

3. Since when were facts of any consequence?

Republicans will say anything, even when it doesn't involve any spin or potential political advantage. Reagan, for example, never retracted his "tree cause polution" statement, despite being widely ridiculed for it. It's a pattern with these kind of people. Edmund Morris, Reagan's biographer, noted that they cling to false beliefs with tenacity- and they often sound sincere, because they actually believe what they're saying.

Bush's statments will play well to people like that (even though the unemployment numbers this month are even more equivocal than usual). Despite the fact that ordinary folks are continuing to lose their earning power and face retirement insecurity (if they haven't lost their pensions or seen their 401k's dwindle) they're psychologically invested in Bush and have faith that "today's employment report shows our economy is continuing to move forward," and that Bush won't "be satisfied until everybody who wants to work can find a job."

[spooky3]

4. They can all find a job at McDonald's. No wonder he's satisfied now.

[DrFunkenstein]

5. Bush's "Optimism" May Come To Ring A Little Hollow

They are psychologically invested in Bush on other grounds, not economically. This is a spot where his support is soft, and could raise a credibility issue with people who see themselves or their neighbors unemployed or underemployed.

[depakid]

8. I completely agree

Like father like son-

One of the few tried and true processes that break Republican ideologues out of their dysfunctional belief systems is for them (or someone close to them) to experience some profound event, like the loss of their job or a healthcare crisis. Yet my guess is that even without some personal hardship, more reasonable conservatives may begin to question Bush's credibility if he keeps strutting around economically depressed areas with his "the economy is strong, we've turned the corner act." Eventually, as happened in 1992, people will sense the disconnect and, perhaps, "hold their nose" and vote for Kerry.

[Leilani]

6. He is out of touch

just like his father was in 1992...

& the Clinton campaign emphasized that...

It needs to be repeated.

[DrFunkenstein]

7. The Kerry Campaign Mantra Should Be "It's The Credibility, Stupid"

Repeat ad nauseum.

[Bluebear]

9. And then flees for a vacation on the ocean in Maine

Thumbing his nose at the struggling American.

[CreekDog]

10. Yeah, but wait until he gets laid off

Then he won't be saying what a great economy it is.

[nolajazz]

11. He was just whistling past the graveyard.

I sense panic and desperation.