By
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - President Bush's chief spokesman said yesterday that the United States is ''in the middle of an economic downturn'' that requires his prescription of tax cuts and budget tightening.
Ari Fleischer offered the assessment as Bush launched a two day, three-state trip to promote his budget and tax plan. The tour will be capped by a major speech today on the economy.
''It's going to be the president's assessment of where the economy is, why his plan is the best plan to help the economy recover,'' Fleischer said. ''He will share with the American people his view of where the nation stands'' on the economy.
Bush has spoken in ominous terms about the economy since his election, but the rhetoric has picked up as his economic plan made his way through Congress. Earlier this month, Bush said the economy was ''sputtering.''
Fleischer, offering a new formulation, said ''the president knows we're in the middle of an economic downturn, but he has faith that the long term strength of the economy is solid.''
Several Democratic politicians will be joining Bush at various stages of the trip, including Rep. Karen McCarthy of Mo., Rep. Dennis Moore of Kan., and Sen. Max Baucus of Mo.
In Kansas City, Bush scheduled an address to employees at Bajan Industries, an enterprise that does light manufacturing and assembly work. The company has found jobs for 15 former welfare recipients.
In Billings, Mont., later yesterday, Bush was to meet with agriculture producers at Tractor Supply Co., then speak to an audience at the MetraPark Expo and Convention Center.
Bush's policy speech today at Western Michigan University is sponsored by the Southwest Michigan First Coalition and the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce.
That's just part of a week in which the president also welcomes King Juan Carlos of Spain to the White House and meets separately with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
Also on Bush's schedule is a White House meeting with leaders of the high-tech industry, a talk to a delegation of black leaders, a photo with members of the Baseball Hall of Fame and a speech to the annual dinner of the Radio and Television Correspondents Association.
Bush plans to take most of the weekend off, spending time at the Camp David retreat in western Maryland.
