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Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Obama Vows To Pivot To Jobs As Republicans Question Track Record

With the debt-ceiling debate in Washington's rear view, President Obama emerged from the partisan rubble vowing -- as he has many times since taking office -- to devote his energy to jobs.

Americans "want us to get this economy growing and adding jobs," the president said. 

The call echoed his 2010 State of the Union pledge to make jobs his "No. 1 focus." But since then, the economy hasn't exactly popped back into gear. 

Since January 2010, the unemployment rate has averaged about 9.4 percent. On average, the economy is creating about 94,000 jobs per month -- well below the at least 125,000 needed to keep pace with population growth. Not only is the jobless rate on the upswing, but those out of work are staying out of work longer. The jobless typically are out of work for nearly 40 weeks, which is 30 percent longer than in January 2010. 

Republicans are on the same page as Democrats when it comes to the goal of spurring job creation. But the parties are no more unified on how to do that than they were on how to cut the deficit. While the president repeatedly has said that jobs will be his priority, Republicans say he's fumbled that push time and again. 

"Quit borrowing. Quit spending. Quit trying to raise taxes. Quit over-regulating and let the private sector flourish," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday, as party leaders on each side offered two starkly different visions for the recovery. 

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Again?
Obama has a laser like focus on lobs.
He's been destroying the climate for job growth since he's been elected.

Anonymous said...

I know where he can get one Job, give his up and someone else that can actually do it, who is actually a citizen, a patriot, and believe that God should be involved in our countries progress.

Oh wait, he cant.... Devil wont let him, or his wife...

Anonymous said...

"PIVOT" , this is not a basketball game.