The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank uncovered an anecdote yesterday that is equal parts sad and funny.
Bush was in Canton, Ohio, in April as part of a tour to promote this year’s tax cut plan for the wealthy. Bush visited a steel bearing manufacturing business called Timken Co. and said, “The greatest strength of the American economy is found right here.” He went on to say that his tax cut plan, which was passed by Congress a month later, would bring “more money for investment, more money for growth, and more money for jobs.”
So, how’d that tax cut scheme work out for the fine folks at Timken Co.? The company announced last week that its earnings were down and it would have to cut 900 jobs.
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that this appears to be part of a trend for this president. Bush travels to a small business or agency, and bad things happen shortly thereafter.
* In January 2002, for example, Bush visited a job-training program in Oregon called Youth Opportunities in Northeast Portland, which helps low-income teens earn high-school degrees and find steady employment. While visiting the program, Bush praised its success and said it deserved support. Three weeks later, Bush cut its federal funding.
* In May 2003, Bush went to Nebraska to — you guessed it — tout his plan to create jobs through tax cuts. Unfortunately, the White House chose the Airlite Plastics Company in Omaha to serve as Bush’s backdrop. Because the factory had to shut down for Bush’s speech, the company announced a few days before the event that over 300 factory workers will lose all or part of a day’s pay as a result of Bush’s trip.
* In April 2001, Bush visited a Boys and Girls Club in Wilmington, Del. Though the president praised its fine work, and said he’d like to see similar programs opened statewide, Bush’s budget eliminated funding for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
* In March 2001, Bush visited Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta and talked about his budget plan. “My job as the president is to submit a budget to the Congress and to set priorities, and one of the priorities that we’ve talked about is making sure the healthcare systems are funded,” Bush said. He added, “The point I want to make in this haven of love, a place of deep concern about children’s health, is that we can fund priorities.” Bush then proceeded to cut the hospital’s federal funding.
I think there are two lessons to be learned here. One, Bush likes photo-ops but is less fond of follow-through. And two, if your workplace ever gets a call from the White House Office of Public Liaison saying the president would like to stop by for a visit, hang up.