Bush Facing Tough Sell on the Economy

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bushecon4sep04,1,1532949.story?coll=la-home-todays-times

As President Bush heads for the Midwest today to trumpet his economic program, his first stop, in Kansas City, Mo., illustrates the trouble that he faces with the election year's approach. The metropolitan area has been walloped by the loss of nearly 10,000 high-paying telecom jobs and — in a recovery that's so far jobless — there is little relief in sight.

Bush will tout the growth-spurring tonic of tax cuts and call for Congress to cut back stifling regulations and pass his national energy plan, according to aides. And he's likely to repeat his proposal to appoint a new assistant Commerce secretary to help preserve some of the nation's quickly disappearing manufacturing jobs.

The idea of a "manufacturing czar" has been much derided since Bush first floated it — including by some of those invited to hear him speak today.

"What's a Republican president doing making noises about industrial policy?" fumed Peter J. Eaton, a University of Missouri-Kansas City economist and director of the school's Economic Information Center who said he was asked to attend the presidential event, but will be unable to make it.

[onehandle]

1. What a wimp...

"Kansas City is one of the few places in the Midwest where you can make an economic speech and not end up hearing about the loss of jobs to low-cost producers overseas," said Thomas.

[LittleApple81]

2. Just name a jobs Czar! (cartoon)

[dfong63]

3. what the jobs czar will do

probably, s/he will make recommendations to improve "competitiveness" of American employers. ie, gut the minimum wage law, further eliminate overtime pay, workmen's comp, health benefits, castrate environmental protection regulations; and on down the big-business wishlist. this is too good of an opportunity for them to miss. don't think this "jobs czar" will simply be a useless PR move. i fully expect the position will be used as a bully pulpit to further trample on the rights of the American worker.