Time for Murphy to Speak Up as Economy Suffers Under White House Policies

Washington- For families and small business owners across Pennsylvania, the constant drumbeat of grim economic news has been an unwelcome reality that’s not going away anytime soon. With unemployment near ten percent, the national debt at well over $13 trillion thanks to reckless Washington spending sprees, and devastating tax hikes on the horizon, it’s clear that the Obama administration’s economic policies have failed. Now, pressure is building for President Obama to right the ship and finally abandon the policies – and the people – that have pushed the country to the brink of economic catastrophe. As Pennsylvania continues to suffer under the White House’s economic policies, will Patrick Murphy back calls for President Obama to demand resignations from his failed advisors and put the country on a new path or will he stand by the failed economic policies of the administration and the Pelosi-led Congress?

“As it becomes clearer and clearer that President Obama’s economic policies have failed, it’s time for Patrick Murphy to tell voters whether he stands with them or with an administration that has overpromised and under-delivered,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Pennsylvania families are buried under mountains of debt and high unemployment. With devastating tax hikes rapidly approaching, someone must be held accountable. While Pennsylvania voters might not be able to replace President Obama’s failed economic team, they will certainly do their part to get the country back on track by replacing Patrick Murphy in November.”

As the country’s economic situation grows ever more troubling, the Obama economic team is under fire for their strategic failures:

“UCubed, a group representing unemployed and underemployed workers, sharply criticized Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner for his handling of the economy after the Labor Department last week announced that jobless claims had unexpectedly jumped to 500,000.”

“‘The pace of job losses is increasing, and Secretary Geithner doesn’t have a clue on how to end this grave recession,’ said Rick Sloan, the group’s acting executive director, in prepared remarks.

“Sloan noted a September 2009 interview with ABC where Geithner predicted that in 12 months jobs would be easier to find and income growth would accelerate.” (Jay Heflin, “Unemployed Group Blasts Geithner’s Handling of Economy,” The Hill, 8/23/10)

It’s now clear that a change of leadership is necessary to get the country back on track:

“House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) called Tuesday for the mass firing of the Obama administration’s economic team, including Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and White House adviser Larry Summers, arguing that November’s midterm elections are shaping up as a referendum on sustained unemployment across the nation and saying the ‘writing is on the wall.’

“Boehner said President Obama’s team lacks ‘real-world, hands-on experience’ in creating jobs that are needed for a full economic recovery. The Republican lawmaker cited reports that some senior aides complained of ‘exhaustion,’ including the recently departed budget chief Peter Orszag.” (Paul Kane and Michael D. Shear, “ Minority Leader Boehner: Fire Obama’s Economic Team, Extend Tax Cuts,” Washington Post, 8/24/10)

Will Patrick Murphy join the calls for new leadership, or will he stand with the failed status quo?