Steele: George Bush created a lot of jobs

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele spoke to CNBC earlier -- I feel like we haven't seen him in a while, and I'm glad he's back -- struggling to explain the Republican approach to job creation. Of particular interest, Steele suggested the economy would improve if only we'd go back to the Bush/Cheney policies. "George Bush created a lot of jobs," the RNC chairman insisted. Challenged on whether the claim made any sense at all, Steele added, "I think jobs were created. I'm almost confident about that. And I think the markets reflect that."

As much as I enjoyed the phrase "I'm almost confident about that," it's hard to overstate how ridiculous Steele's comments were. George Bush did not create "a lot of jobs" -- at the end of Bush's first term, it was the first administration in the modern era to go four years with a net job growth of zero. By the end of the second term, the net gain under Bush was about 1 million jobs.

That's not "a lot"; it's a disaster. It's a dreadful period unlike any other in generations. Indeed, it's very likely more jobs will be created in 2010 than in the entire eight years Bush was president.

Steele thinks "the markets reflect" Bush's success on the economy? The day Bush was sworn into office in January 2001, the Dow Jones stood at 10,732.46. The day he left, it was 7,949. In other words, after eight years of Bush/Cheney, the Dow had a cumulative gain of negative 2,783 points.

Steele does realize that negative is bad, right?

But it wasn't just Steele's confusion about facts and figures that bothered me. What was troubling was the reminder that Republicans, instead of feeling humiliated by Bush's stunning failures, actually believe the United States would be better off if only we'd go back to the same policies that didn't work.

If I'm Steele, and I'm trying to be intellectually serious and honest, I tell interviewers, "You know what? Bush's way didn't work, and the status quo isn't good enough. The Republican Party is moving forward with a new vision for economic growth that has nothing to do with the policies that fell short in the past." It's a weak pitch, but at least it'd be coherent.

But that's not the message. Instead, the RNC chairman tries to tell the public with a straight face, "George Bush created a lot of jobs" -- a genuinely idiotic claim that no one can take seriously.

It's a problem that Republicans were dreadfully wrong about economic policy in the Bush era, but the really painful realization is that the GOP believes they were right, and want to go back to what failed.

—Steve Benen

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Bush did wonders for the country. It's only a matter of time before his true genius is recognized.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I dont see an Obama line!

[sjr09 155]

I dont see an Obama line!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Why is a RINO supporting another RINO newsworthy?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

the article is a joke.

It forgot to mention how under Bush the dow got up to over 15,000 as well. Let's ignore the 'facts' here.

Let's ignore that it's deregulation under a Democratic President in the markets that caused the housing crisis we had that started in '07 and where we're out today..

Yes, let's ignore the facts entirely..

[slim 1,528]

Facts? We don't need no stinkin facts! All we need is hope and change!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Can we go back to the 90's please?

Every time I hear this its pretty scary. Its as if the US economy has lost its ability to produce jobs over the last 10 years or so yet the population continues its growth.

Edited June 23, 2010 by Sousuke

[SMOKE 1,426]

Can we go back to the 90's please?

Every time I hear this its pretty scary. Its as if the US economy has lost its ability to produce jobs over the last 10 years or so yet the population continues its growth.

how scary is when you add the current administration desire to push cap & trade on us, when india & china among others laugh at the mission cut proposals? + they want to grant amnesty to 15-20 illegal immigrants?....are you terrified yet?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

how scary is when you add the current administration desire to push cap & trade on us, when india & china among others laugh at the mission cut proposals? + they want to grant amnesty to 15-20 illegal immigrants?....are you terrified yet?

Other than the fact that I think if cap and trade were approached correctly it would create jobs.....yes.

[slim 1,528]

the US economy has lost its ability to produce jobs over the last 10 years or so yet the population continues its growth.

Ever seen Idiocracy?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Ever seen Idiocracy?

Where they were watering their crops with Gatorade lol?

[SMOKE 1,426]

Other than the fact that I think if cap and trade were approached correctly it would create jobs.....yes.

will it create more than it eliminates? now, not 10-15 years later. now, when it eliminates then.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

will it create more than it eliminates? now, not 10-15 years later. now, when it eliminates then.

One of the primary reasons job growth has been so low is because job outsourcing has picked up steam. Believe it or not, a proper climate bill could create a stealth tariff system on foreign jobs. Obviously that's not the direction the Cap and Trade bill is going.

[SMOKE 1,426]

One of the primary reasons job growth has been so low is because job outsourcing has picked up steam. Believe it or not, a proper climate bill could create a stealth tariff system on foreign jobs. Obviously that's not the direction the Cap and Trade bill is going.

i agree with the outsourcing being the primary reason for the slow job growth. and with the cap & trade bill in its present form it will accelerate. its beyond idiotic to pursue it when our economy is in the state it is.