Obama adviser admits job creation figure a 'guess'
Updated Sun. Feb. 15 2009 1:50 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Senior advisor to President Barack Obama, David Axelrod, said the administration's pledge to create between three and four million jobs with its massive economic stimulus package is merely an estimate, but would not confirm if the president would ask Congress for more money should the bill fall short of its employment targets.
Speaking Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Axelrod said the job-creation figure is "a good guess," but encouraged Americans to give the $787 billion bill a chance to create jobs and turn around the worst financial crisis the U.S. has faced since the Second World War.
"There are some unknowns here," Axelrod said. "Let's give this a try. This is the most ambitious recovery package in the history of this country and let's move forward with it."
The legislation squeaked through the Senate Friday night by a slim 60-38 margin, and is expected to be signed by Obama on Tuesday.
The costliest legislation ever passed by Congress, the bill calls for billions of dollars in spending on aid in the form of unemployment benefits, food stamps and medical care. It also pledges billions of dollars in aid to states so they don't have to cut services or hike taxes, as well as nearly $50 billion for infrastructure projects.