(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for US Senate, issued the following statement in response to the President's State of the Union address:
 
"Regrettably, the President used tonight's speech to pass blame rather than accept responsibility and provide a credible path forward.  He spoke of making job creation his top priority despite spending his first year focused on job-killing health care legislation. He defended a massive bailout program he admitted to hating. And he proposed hundreds of billions in new spending even while promising to freeze the budget. His rhetoric simply does not match reality.
 
"With 10% unemployment, the President needs to stop excusing the failed stimulus with isolated and anecdotal stories of success and start talking about initiatives that create incentives for small businesses to invest and create jobs. He can start by cutting taxes, dedicating unspent stimulus dollars to pay down the deficit, and reducing the size of government to foster an environment where small businesses can prosper.
 
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