Obama fixates on economic growth to boost Democrats' midterm chances

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/oct/31/obama-feconomic-growth-boost-democrat-midterm-chances

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Barack Obama has seized on better-than-expected US economic news to try to turn around Democratic party fortunes in the last few days of campaigning before Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Low personal approval ratings have kept the president away from the most competitive swing states this election but, in a series of last-minute speeches to more sympathetic audiences in Maine and Rhode Island, Obama is attempting to build a more positive narrative by focusing on buoyant GDP figures.

“We’re better off than we were,” he told students at Rhode Island College in Providence on Friday. “The progress has been hard; it’s sometimes been challenging but it’s been steady, it’s been real.”

White House officials jumped on Thursday’s economic data, which showed a 3.6% growth in the third quarter, re-writing a planned speech to a campaign rally in Portland, Maine to include a reference.

“This morning, we learned that our economy grew at a strong clip over the summer – even stronger than we’d expected,” Obama told that crowd of some 3,000 supporters. “In fact, over the past six months, our economy has grown at the fastest pace in more than 10 years. So the truth is America is outpacing most of the rest of the world.”

It is far from clear whether the president’s attempt to claim credit for the economic recovery will curry favour with an electorate still suffering from stagnant wages. Obama acknowledged that “millions of American don’t yet feel the benefits” that only wider structural reform would bring.

The headline data also masks a dip in consumer spending, that some economists believe could indicate slower growth to come.

But administration officials argue the relative strength of the recovery can be linked to stimulus measures enacted by the president after the financial crisis and Obama wasted no time taking credit in Rhode Island.

“For the first time in more than six years the unemployment rate is below 6%,” Obama told the young crowd. “All the decisions I make as president are aimed at making sure we restore the promise to your generation.”

“Thank you,” shouted one student in the crowd. “You’re welcome,” Obama replied.

The White House also hopes it can help boost turnout among female voters next week by stressing its support for equal pay initiatives, maternity leave and childcare reforms, although legislation on many of these issues is currently stalled.

In Rhode Island, Obama called for more “steps to make sure women are full and equal participants in this recovery”.

“If a woman is doing the same work as a man she deserves to get paid the same,” he added, pointing to equal pay legislation blocked by Republicans.