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Pence Downplays New Positive Economic Numbers

BALTIMORE — House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) downplayed new economic numbers released by the Obama administration Friday, saying that the jump in the gross domestic product did not translate into jobs for the unemployed.The Commerce Department announced Friday that the GDP rose 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter, indicating a high rate of economic growth. “I’m not an economist, but when we visited the Salvation Army homeless shelter here in Baltimore yesterday, the families there didn’t ask me if there was something we could do to grow the GDP,— Pence said, speaking at the House Republicans’ annual retreat here. “The dad there said, ‘There are no jobs in Baltimore.’—Pence called for President Barack Obama to ask Congress for across-the-board tax cuts for businesses and family farms, similar to those passed during President Ronald Reagan’s administration. “In terms of economics, this Congress and this administration have been playing small ball for a year,— Pence said. He added that Republicans gathered at the GOP retreat at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore were looking forward to the question-and-answer session with Obama on Friday afternoon, where Republican leaders plan to reintroduce the president to their ideas to solve the many challenges facing the country. “I guarantee you, this president will get an earful of better solutions before he leaves Baltimore,— Pence said.

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