President Bush addresses economy at SRC

A week after Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry won Missouri's primary, President Bush visited Springfield's SRC Automotive plant Feb. 9 to talk about the economy. Bush heard success stories from local manufacturers during the 45-minute discussion, billed "A Conversation on the Economy." Sharing the stage with Bush is (left to right) Mike Stadler, Custom Manufacturing & Polishing; Tricia Derges, Mostly Memories; host Jack Stack, SRC; Bush; Theresa Noblitt, SRC accountant; and Gary Brown, SRC warehouse supervisor.

Bush touted his tax cuts, and the panel vouched for them, saying his tax plan encouraged capital spending at their businesses. Manufacturing executives Stadler and Derges told Bush they were spending nearly $700,000 on new equipment between them.

"I love the entrepreneurial spirit in this country," Bush told the audience of about 600. "And tax policy has got to encourage it." He urged Congress to continue the tax benefits for children and married couples set to expire in 2005. "Now is not the time to raise taxes on the American people," Bush said, citing positive economic indicators: historically low interest rates, record home starts and 112,000 new jobs in January.

Bush did not field any questions.