Obama, Cantor differ on jobs

President Barack Obama said last week at a White House news conference that the private sector is doing fine .

The economy?s problems are centered in two areas: state and local government employment, and the construction industry, he said. Obama noted that he has proposed legislation to help state and local governments retain and rehire teachers and police officers, and fund infrastructure projects that would provide jobs for construction workers.

?If Republicans want to be helpful, if they really want to move forward and put people back to work, what they should be thinking about is how do we help state and local governments, and how do we help the construction industry,? he said.

Plus, Congress should pass his proposal to give small businesses a tax break if they hire more workers, he said.

Republicans, however, couldn?t get past Obama?s ?doing fine? remark.

This sounds like ?the president is totally disconnected from reality,? said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

After all, the unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for 40 months.

?My question would be to the president, ?Are you kidding? Did you see the job numbers that came out last week??? said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. ?The private sector is not doing fine.?

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