President Barack Obama offered up a gift to Republicans Friday morning, declaring "the private sector is doing fine," at a White House press conference.
"Where we are seeing weaknesses in our economy, had to do with state and local government, often times cuts initiated by governors or mayors who are not getting the kind of help that they have in the past from the federal Government, and who don't have the same flexibility as the federal government in dealing with fewer revenues coming in," Obama continued, calling on Congressional Republicans to take steps to help local and state governments create jobs.
Obama also expressed concern about the European economy – particularly efforts to impose austerity budgets.
Republican National Committee Press Secretary Kirsten Kukowski released this statement after Obama's remarks:
President Obama’s announcement that the ‘private sector is doing fine’ is bound to be a surprise to the 23 million Americans who are struggling for work and the millions of families who have seen their incomes fall under the Obama economy. Between relying on government to create jobs and blaming headwinds for his economic failures, it’s clear President Obama doesn’t have a clue how to create jobs or turn the economy around.
Romney spokesman Ryan Williams added:
Today, President Obama inexplicably claimed that ‘the private sector is doing fine.’ But the 23 million Americans who are struggling for work are not ‘doing fine.’ Job creators and small businesses are not ‘doing fine.’ The middle class is not ‘doing fine.’ There is no denying that President Obama has been fundamentally hostile to job creators and his policies have prevented our economy from rebounding. America needs a president who understands the economy and knows how to get our country back on track.
Already this fake Twitter has popped to lampoon Obama's line:
Yeah. I'm doing fine. I haven't stopped vomiting every 20 minutes for 4 years but I AM FEELING GREAT!
Yeah. I'm doing fine. I haven't stopped vomiting every 20 minutes for 4 years but I AM FEELING GREAT!-- The Private Sector
I feel as good as Donald Verrilli in front of the Supreme Court. #doingjustfine
I feel as good as Donald Verrilli in front of the Supreme Court. #doingjustfine-- The Private Sector
Monthly Change In Government Jobs vs. Private Sector Jobs
