Republicans downplay drop in jobless rate

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Associated Press

Story Created: Sat Oct 6, 2012 2:08 PM

Story Updated: Sat Oct 6, 2012 2:08 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) - On the day after the news that the unemployment rate dropped from 8.1 percent to 7.8 percent, President Barack Obama says it's a sign of progress -- but that more needs to be done.

He's calling on Republicans in Congress to work with Democrats on a plan to cut taxes for 98 percent of Americans, and on another bill to help families refinance their homes at lower interest rates.
Republicans aren't sounding impressed by the new jobless numbers. In the GOP response to the president's weekly media address today, party chairman Reince Priebus (ryns PREE'-bus) says, "We need a new direction, because we can't afford four more years like the last four."
He says Mitt Romney has a sensible plan to fix the economy, while President Barack Obama wants to repeat what Priebus calls the "failed policies that have buried the middle class" the past four years.
Romney campaigns in Florida later today -- after spending part of the day preparing for his next debate with President Barack Obama.