Wingnuts are gleefully seizing upon this remark by President Obama at his press conference on Friday morning. The private sector is doing fine. Where we're seeing weaknesses in our economy have to do with state and local government.
June 9, 2012

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Wingnuts are gleefully seizing upon this remark by President Obama at his press conference on Friday morning.

The private sector is doing fine. Where we're seeing weaknesses in our economy have to do with state and local government. Oftentimes cuts initiated by, you know, Governors or mayors who are not getting the kind of help that they have in the past from the federal government and who don't have the same kind of flexibility as the federal government in dealing with fewer revenues coming in.

While technically true, this sounds absolutely awful. The millions of people who can't get jobs in the private sector don't want to hear that it's "fine"—period.

But what bothered me about the entire briefing (watch the whole thing above and judge for yourself) is that Obama seemed out of it. There was no sense of urgency in his voice or demeanor that millions of people are hurting, are underwater on their mortgage payments—and are one paycheck away from ruin. And worst of all, in an election year, there was no discernible trace of anger that Republicans in the House are a big part of the reason.

"Instead of just talking a good game about job creators, Congress should give the small-business owners that actually create most of the new jobs in America a tax break for hiring more workers.

"These are ideas that, again, have gotten strong validation from independent, nonpartisan economists. It would make a difference in our economy. And there's no excuse for not passing these ideas. We know they can work."

See the word "Republicans" in there? I don't either.

Look, people want someone to blame, and Republicans are happy to blame the President for the stubbornly-high unemployment. Why Obama continues to let them get away with it is a mystery.

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