Using the same terminology one might employ to describe the plot of “The Lord of the Rings,” President Obama has agreed that the country’s economic recovery has been “painfully slow” and has indicated he understands the vitriol aimed toward Democrats as the 2010 midterm elections approach.

But Obama took a swipe at Republicans, saying they are holding up important legislation in Congress purely for political gain ahead of the elections. –JCL

The BBC:

US President Barack Obama has said that progress in pulling the American economy out of recession has been “painfully slow”.

“The hole the recession left was huge and progress has been painfully slow,” he told a White House news conference.

Mr Obama has made three speeches on the economy this week, as it looms as the major issue for the US mid-term polls.

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