Bush acknowledges for first time that US economy is ‘in a recession’

AFP
Saturday, Dec 06, 2008

US President George W. Bush on Friday acknowledged for the first time that the US economy is in a recession after the release of official data showing the worst monthly job losses since 1974.

“Today’s job data reflects the fact that our economy is in a recession,” Bush said. “My administration is committed to ensuring that our economy succeeds, and I know the incoming administration shares the same commitment.”

The US president’s hastily announced remarks on the South Lawn of the White House came after official data showing US employers slashed 533,000 jobs in November, sending the unemployment rate to a 15-year high of 6.7 percent and suggesting the economy is sinking faster than believed.

“I’m concerned about our workers who’ve lost jobs during this downturn,” he said. “We are focusing on the root causes of the economic downturn in order to return our economy to health.”

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Bush, who hands the reins to Barack Obama on January 20, noted his administration had extended unemployment benefits and has been pursuing efforts to ease housing market turmoil and ease a painful credit squeeze.

• A d v e r t i s e m e n t

“And credit is beginning to move. A market that was frozen is thawing. There’s still more work to do. But there are some encouraging signs,” the US president said.

“It’s going to take time for all the actions we’ve taken to have their full impact. But I am confident that the steps we’re taking will help fix the problems in our economy and return it to strength,” said Bush.

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