247,00 Jobs Lost

President celebrates.

"Today, we're pointed in the right direction," Obama said in brief remarks in the Rose Garden hours after the report was released. "While we've rescued our economy from catastrophe, we've also begun to build a new foundation for growth."

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The president used the new jobs figures not only to pitch the benefits of the already passed stimulus package but also to press for policy changes on health care, education and energy that he seeks.