After getting frustrated at the length of the Q&A session of his speech in Cleveland today, Bush blurted out, “Anybody work here in this town?” Watch it:
Bush inadvertantly hit upon a subject he otherwise ignored – unemployment in Cleveland. Economic conditions in the city have worsened considerably during Bush’s presidency. Some facts:
- 5.8 percent: Cleveland unemployment rate, Jan. 2006
- 4.5 percent: Cleveland unemployment rate, Jan. 2001- 5.3 percent: Ohio unemployment rate, Jan. 2006
- 4.0 percent: Ohio unemployment rate, Jan. 2001- 31.3 percent: Cleveland poverty rate, 2003
- 24.3 percent: Cleveland poverty rate, 2001
So the answer, Mr. President, is that a lot of people in Cleveland don’t work because they can’t find jobs.
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