Bush, Dems quarrel over the economy

President Bush on Saturday conceded America is in a “tough economic period” but added that his administration foresees a “strong long-term outlook” — a message derided as “empty rhetoric” by a first-term Democratic congressman facing a critical contest Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Bush used his weekly radio address to tout economic numbers that he said prove the economy is “continuing to grow in the face of challenges,” specifically citing a Commerce Department report that the gross domestic product (GDP) grew and the nation’s unemployment rate dropped.

{mosads}The president also reminded listeners that he signed a $150 billion economic stimulus package in February and that tax rebates of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples have begun showing up in Americans’ bank accounts.

Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) delivered a pointed Democratic response that slammed Bush for “ignoring the home front” in favor of Iraq. The grandson of late Rep. Julia Carson (D-Ind.) faces a primary challenge on Tuesday to keep the seat he won in a special election in March.

Bush mentioned, but did not emphasize, that the GDP growth was “not nearly as high as we would like,” and acknowledged that April was the fourth month in a row when the economy lost a net amount of jobs.

Still, he insisted that he has been pro-active.

“My administration has been clear and candid on the state of the economy,” Bush said. “We saw the economic slowdown coming, we were up front about these concerns with the American people, and we’ve been taking decisive action.”

Bush did not include any mention of the war in Iraq — an omission that Carson exploited, reminding listeners that this week marks the five-year anniversary of Bush’s much-criticized “Mission Accomplished” speech.

Carson called the speech “infamous.”

“In the five years since the president’s infamous speech, more than 3,900 American troops have lost their lives and nearly 30,000 have been wounded,” he said. “The war has continued to cost American taxpayers billions of dollars and the Iraqi government has failed time and time again to meet benchmarks for success.”

Carson went on to praise U.S. troops, contrasting that with Bush’s continued “embrace of a failed strategy.”

But the lawmaker also slammed Bush and congressional Republicans regarding their handling of the economy, pointedly rejecting the president’s insistence that the GOP has responded adequately.

“Gas prices are skyrocketing, but the president only offers empty rhetoric and refuses to take action to bring down the cost of gasoline and ease the pain at the pump,” Carson said. “Democrats will not be deterred and we will work to reverse the president’s policies and bring about real change.”

Carson, a former Indianapolis city councilman, beat out three other Democrats in January for the right to be the party’s nominee to represent the 7^th House District.  He then won the March 11 special election with 53 percent of the vote, being heavily backed by Indianapolis’ political establishment including Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and former Democratic Mayor Bart Peterson. He has also been endorsed by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

The March election allowed Carson to finish the term of his grandmother, who died in December. Tuesday’s primary will determine the Democratic nominee for the November election.

Carson has several opponents, most notably former state Health Commissioner Woody Myers and state Reps. Carolene Mays and David Orentlicher. Other candidates include Larry Lamont Ledford, Frances Nelson Williams, Joseph Stockett and Pierre Quincy Pullins.

Tapping Carson to deliver Saturday’s address is a clear sign that national Democratic leaders favor him in the special election.