Washington Post: The White House sent three long-delayed trade agreements to Congress on Monday, putting the deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama on a path toward final passage after years of political limbo.
In a statement, President Barack Obama said the deals would make it easier for U.S. companies to sell their products overseas, and he called on Congress to approve the agreements without delay.
“These agreements will support tens of thousands of jobs across the country for workers making products stamped with three proud words: Made in America,” he said.
Full article here
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Reuters: Manufacturing grew more quickly in September as production and hiring increased, suggesting that factories would help keep the economy from slipping into a new recession.
Other data on Monday offered more good news for the struggling U.S. recovery, with strong demand for new motor vehicles putting sales on an upward track and construction spending unexpectedly rebounding in August.
“That hardly sounds like an economy flat on its back. The economy is still moving forward. But no one should confuse direction with speed,” said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors….
The factory sector has shouldered the broader economic recovery, with September marking a 26th straight month of expansion, and the manufacturing report implied an outright contraction in output would probably be avoided.
More here
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Reuters: U.S. auto sales rose almost 10 percent in September, allaying concerns of a double-dip recession as major automakers forecast stronger sales through the remainder of the year.
Among the Detroit automakers, General Motors Co sales rose 20 percent, while those at Ford Motor Co and Chrysler group were up 9 percent and 27 percent, respectively.
Industry wide auto sales rose 9.9 percent in September from a year earlier. The annualized sales rate hit 13.1 million vehicles, the strongest sales rate since April.
Full article here
The Obama Diary 
Uh. yeah. we were supposed to let the American auto industry die. RIGHT RETHUGLICANS??? RETHUGLICANS = STUCK ON STUPID.
One of my favorite bumper stickers. “Voting is just like driving D = Move Forward R = Move Backward”
Aint that the truth. Finally the lazy congress can start working on passage of the trade deals and hopefully it’ll improve the economy in some shape or form.
The republicans will do everything they can to prevent a robust recovery. We must step up our support for those who are protesting in the streets.
It’s funny how when we receive bad economic news here people chime in with all kinds of comments. When it’s great news (and this is great news) are we taking it for granted? I’m thrilled by this. Especially the increase in sales in the auto sector. This underscores just how brilliant the Obama Administration was when it restructured and gave a leg up to that vital industry. Can I get an AMEN?
AMEN!
“That hardly sounds like an economy flat on its back. The economy is still moving forward. But no one should confuse direction with speed,” said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors
Thank you. Yes some months have been better than others but I’d like to know what country in world history that was in economic freefall had an easy path to recovery. The private sector has had 18 straight months of positive job growth. You bet we’re moving forward. This President is not going to let anyone stop him from turbo charging the economy.