Patrick raps Gingrich over job creation

Associated Press

Updated: Feb 5, 2012 12:00 PM

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick took a swipe at Republicans seeking to defeat President Barack Obama and said federal policy makers can take a cue from Massachusetts to cut unemployment.

Appearing Sunday on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press," Patrick criticized former House Speaker Newt Gingrich who said Obama's policies have contributed to a shrunken labor force as unemployed workers stop looking for jobs.

Unemployment fell in January to 8.3 percent. The U.S. Department of Labor also says those not in the labor force increased from 85.5 million in January 2011 to 87.9 million last month.

Patrick focused on falling unemployment. He said facts are unwelcome to Gingrich and many other Republicans.

The unemployment rate in Massachusetts was 6.8 percent in December. Patrick says Massachusetts has succeeded by attracting information technology, life sciences and other industries.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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