President Calls Economy 'Strong and Getting Stronger'
By ROBERT PEAR and RICHARD W. STEVENSON
Published: February 10, 2004
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 — President Bush said Monday that a soft economy had caused "hardship for people in many industries and regions of our nation," but he declared that "America's economy is strong and getting stronger," and he predicted the creation of 2.6 million jobs this year.
The prediction provides a benchmark that the president and his critics can use to measure the performance of the election-year economy.
In his annual economic report, Mr. Bush defended his record, which Democrats have harshly criticized.
"Since May 2003," Mr. Bush said, "we have seen the economy grow at its fastest pace in nearly 20 years."
He predicted that prosperity would soon "reach every corner of America."