Bloomberg: Fed, State Leaders Lag on Creating Jobs

Mayor Michael Bloomberg lashed out at the White House, Congress and state leaders on Wednesday for what he called failed attempts to create jobs, accusing both parties of being too distracted by partisan politics to address unemployment.

The billionaire mayor, who is occasionally mentioned as a long-shot presidential candidate, delivered a campaign-style speech in Brooklyn during which he spent half his time reiterating familiar complaints about partisan gridlock and the other half outlining vague ideas to get more Americans working.

Bloomberg, who has been a member of both parties and is now unregistered, also carefully burnished his bipartisan credentials — equally praising and criticizing the beliefs and approaches of Democrats and Republicans.

He blamed both parties for unfairly vilifying the concept of success and for too quickly dismissing the idea of cooperating within government and across party lines.

"When it comes to creating jobs, government hasn't gotten the job done," he said. "Washington and Albany are not working, and as a result, too many Americans are out of work, out of savings and out of patience."

Bloomberg singled out several areas for improvement, but the concepts were vague — like fixing immigration and promoting trade more effectively.

He also said business taxes should be cut as a way to keep corporations from moving overseas. He offered no way to pay for the difference.

Bloomberg repeatedly says he is not running for president in 2012. He explored the idea in 2008, and his supporters enjoy reaping the benefits of renewed attention about lingering White House aspirations.