Bush Mum on Expected Fed Interest Rate Increase

WASHINGTON (Reuters)

President Bush declined comment on Monday on the possibility of an increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday.

"Monetary policy is decided independently from the White House," Bush told reporters when asked whether an increase in interest rates would help or hurt the U.S. economy. ..

Bush, under fire by Democrats for a number of lagging indicators recently, said "the economy is strong and it's getting better" despite the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, a recession, corporate scandals and various other pitfalls.

"I'm optimistic about the economic vitality of the country," he said.

Asked if he planned any adjustments in his economic plan, which has relied largely on tax cuts, Bush said: "What we don't need to do is run up the taxes on the American people."

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constantly hear the theme music from "The Twilight Zone" playing in his head?

I saw part of it on MSNBC. * was with the Polish Prime Minister.
As I posted on General Discussion 2004, Bush looked sedated, and talked more slowly than ususal. When he wasn't talking, Bush's head seemed to swing from side-to-side bizarrely, almost as though he was about to drop off. I haven't seen him do that before.

well, I guess it makes it clear that he has no plan.

Continuing wage deflation in the face of price inflation.
Lots of warm bodies to draft next year.

personal responsibility ... Republican Style

Greenspan. It depends on how much of a Repub he is. * wants the interest rate to go up so he can say "the economy is so good we have to raise interest rates to slow inflation."