White House urges US consumers to spend

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House, buffeted by a stronger than expected drop in monthly US retail sales, urged US consumers Thursday to shop and said they should be confident in long-term US economic health.

"We do want to see the consumer spend, and that's one of the reasons for the rebate checks," spokesman Tony Fratto said, referring to a key component of a stimulus package valued at 152 billion for 2008 and 16 billion next year.

"The big message is that you can have confidence in the long-term future of our economy," Fratto told reporters amid growing fears that the world's wealthiest country may be facing a recession.

He spoke after the US Commerce Department reported that US retail sales fell an unexpected 0.6 percent in February from the prior month...