Radio Address by the President to the Nation, 02-07-04

WhiteHouse.gov ^ | 02-07-04 | George W. Bush

[Salvation]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 7, 2004

President's Radio Address

     Audio

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. The past few weeks have confirmed that America's economy is strong, and growing stronger. The nation's unemployment rate fell to 5.6 percent in January, the fourth consecutive monthly decline, and we added 112,000 new jobs, the largest single month increase since December of 2000. Overall, the nation has added 366,000 jobs in the past five months.

There's more evidence of a strengthening economy. Manufacturers report new orders. GDP rose at a 6.1 percent in the second half of 2003, the fastest pace in nearly 20 years. Inflation remains low, and our nation's home ownership rate just reached an all-time high. For the first time in our history, more than half of minority households own their own homes.

All of these are signs that our economic recovery is becoming a lasting expansion. Yet many of the new jobs being created require workers to learn new skills, and we can make sure that more Americans are prepared for these new opportunities.

Our efforts begin in our elementary schools, where students learn the basic skills that carry them through life. With the No Child Left Behind Act, we have raised standards, and we're making sure children learn the basics. Now we need to stay the course of reform, because the No Child Left Behind Act is opening the door of opportunity for all of America's children.

We must also help high school students to prepare for the new jobs our economy is creating. I've asked Congress to pass my Jobs for the 21st Century proposal -- a plan that would help students who fall behind in reading and math -- expand advanced placement programs in low-income schools, and provide larger Pell grants for students who prepare for college with demanding courses in high school.

We also recognize that many workers change jobs in the middle of their careers, and they often get the training they need at community colleges. I have asked Congress to provide $250 million to community colleges to help Americans get the skills they need for high-growth fields. Over the last several weeks, I have met with men and women who are studying at these colleges, and are on their way to better careers.

Toledo, Ohio, I met with Mike Potter. After getting laid off in March, 2003, Mike enrolled at Owens Community College's Integrated Systems Technology program, which is supported by a Department of Labor grant. Mike got a new job soon, and is earning more than he did before. Here is what Mike told me: "People don't want to see a person with just one skill anymore. They want several skills."

My administration is committed to helping more people like Mike learn the skills they need. And we will continue pursuing a pro-growth economic agenda, so that every person who wants to work can find a job.

We'll help create more jobs in America by making tax relief permanent; by enforcing spending discipline and reducing the deficit; by enacting common sense reforms to our regulatory and legal systems; by taking steps to make health care more affordable and accessible; by passing a national energy policy; and by opening up more foreign markets for trade. Taking these steps will add momentum to our nation's economic expansion and extend jobs and prosperity to more Americans.

I'm optimistic about our future, and one reason is because of America's workers and entrepreneurs. They are talented and hardworking, and they carry with them the spirit that has always made America a place of hope and opportunity.

Thank you for listening.

[Salvation]

For your infomation. All comments welcomed.<P

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

**Overall, the nation has added 366,000 jobs in the past five months.**

And the dimocrats don't know this????

[Salvation]

One of my pet peeves is that entreupership is not taught in high school.

Alwasy 00 "Get a job."

Sorry, folks, but owning your own business is what works in America. Yes, it's a lot of work, but there are also lots of advantages:
Work from home
Deductions on taxes for promotions
Mileage
etc.
etc.

The key, (in addition to the hard work), however, is to keep detailed records.

[Salvation]

Oops!

Always "Get a job."

[YaYa123]

Home Depot has put out the word, they need 39,000 employees. (Did I get that number right?) I heard it on FOXNews yesterday, I believe HD wants "seasoned" employees, and I believe they are opening new stores all over the country, hence the demand. Another good sign, not insignificant.

[Salvation]

**Home Depot has put out the word, they need 39,000 employees.**

I wonder if they will fall to OfficeMax, however?

[MeekOneGOP]

Unemployment rate dips to 5.6%; 112,000 non-farm payroll jobs added in January

Copying by post from there ...

Yep ! Obviously the market just hated the jobs news ... < /sarcasm >

(on BIG volume, too, it appears) ...

http://finance.yahoo.com/mt?u

Market Summary

Dow	10,593.03	+97.48	(+0.93%)
Nasdaq	2,064.01	+44.45	(+2.20%)
S&P 500	1,142.76	+14.17	(+1.26%)
10-Yr Bond	4.089%	-0.085
NYSE Volume		1,450,959,000
Nasdaq Volume		1,859,273,000
Quote data provided by Reuters

Close: A January employment report that actually fell short of the market's expectations turned out to be the right combination for a buying drive on Wall Street... Stocks opened on a positive note, and gained steam throughout the day for a close at their session highs... The magnitude of today's gains, in fact, was the largest since last November, and erased all of the week's losses on the Dow and S&P 500 (the Nasdaq came within 2 points of a flat finish)... The jobs report gave equities several reasons to rally with its positive implications for the labor market and investor psychology...

The unemployment rate fell to 5.6%, the average workweek rose to 33.7 hours, and nonfarm payrolls increased by 112K... While all of these statistics were indicative of a strengthening employment picture, the latter metric actually missed the consensus estimate of 165K and generated some negative headline buzz... Briefing.com ventured in yesterday's Looking Ahead column that such a figure - signaling job growth, but not phenomenal job growth - would be a "best case scenario" for the bulls as it suggests that the Fed is not going to tighten interest rates anytime soon...

Investors interpreted the figure as such as most sectors zoomed higher today, with financial, homebuilding, apparel, and technology in the front... The latter was especially strong thanks to the semiconductor group's move above its 50-day simple moving average...

[Dog Gone]

For the first time in our history, more than half of minority households own their own homes.

I didn't hear that reported on CBS.

[Salvation]

For the first time in our history, more than half of minority households own their own homes.

I did hear it on FoxNewsChannel yesterday in one of the news bleeps.

[Salvation]

Unemployment rate dips to 5.6%; 112,000 non-farm payroll jobs added in January

Another BTTT!

Hello, Kerry Ketchup Boy, what say you?

[cyncooper]

I believe HD wants "seasoned" employees, and I believe they are opening new stores all over the country, hence the demand. Another good sign, not insignificant.

Two new Lowe's opening here in Tucson that I know of, one near us. I can't wait as I am dreaming of replacing carpet with hardwood. Both economy boosting, as well as cyncooper satisfying. (Should my husband and I install ourselves? That is the question!)

Already have a Home Depot near the new Lowe's location. In fact, Lowe's is restructuring the old K-mart stores that had closed last year.

[iconoclast]

**Overall, the nation has added 366,000 jobs in the past five months.**

That was maybe a shade better than a good MONTH for the hated Clintoon.

And you didn't know THAT?

[Stallone]

You mean during the GOP Congress common-sense revolution?

That 'Clinton' time?

Shameless b@st@rds need to be removed from God's earth.

[MegaSilver]

I wonder if [Home Depot] will fall to OfficeMax, however?

Are you being silly, or were you thinking "Office Depot"?

[Salvation]

We also got a new Lowes here! Hmmmm.

[Salvation]

I'm sorry, I was thinking about Office Depot here. My mistake.

Home Depot is great! Got a new garage door there.

[Salvation]

My mistake. See the post above. I meant the cccompetition
between Office Depot and Office Max.

[Salvation]

**cccompetition**

I'd better stop here! (Unless I use the spell check -- LOL!)

competition

[Republican Red]

Rush Limbaugh has a good piece on this topic on his website:

Booming U.S. Economy Leads World,
But U.S. Media Reports Only Doom, Gloom

RUSH: I've got to start with some economic news. The latest headline, this is from The Guardian, the UK Guardian, this is not a conservative paper, "Surging U.S. economy leads global recovery."

"The U.S. economy strengthened considerably in December, leading the global economic recovery and leaving Europe and Japan behind, said the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development today." And then we go to the next story from the Associated Press, "German unemployment rate rises to 11%."

"Germany's unemployment rate rose to 11% in January from 10.4% the previous month" - that would be in December for those of you in Rio Linda - "as the number of jobless people in Germany rose by 282,000, according to the state labor office on Thursday."

So you have two interesting headlines here, surging U.S. economy leads global recovery, German unemployment rate rises to 11 percent. Now, we go to the Reuters news agency, doesn't matter, Reuters, AP, anywhere here in the United States, and the headline, "Job growth in January disappoints." "The U.S. economy created just 112,000 new jobs in January, far fewer than expected, government data showed on Friday in a disappointing reported that will likely weigh on President Bush's reelection campaign."
(excerpt)

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_020604/content/truth_detector.guest.html