Despite jobs report, Bush pleased with U.S. economy

President George W. Bush declared himself pleased on Friday with U.S. economic progress despite a Labor Department report that said U.S. employers added only 51,000 jobs in September.

Bush, who is trying to help his Republican party keep control of Congress in midterm elections November 7, cited a drop in the U.S. unemployment rate to 4.6 percent as good news and said wages are going up and energy prices are falling.

"I'm pleased with the economic progress we're making," he said, noting that 6.6 million jobs have been added to the U.S. economy since August 2003.

He said the fundamental question is how to sustain economic growth and said making tax cuts enacted during his administration permanent would help.