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Dems, GOP leaders hold dueling conferences ahead of Presidential visit

Posted 12:27 PM, May 04, 2012
and last updated 2:11 PM, May 04, 2012

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)- Ahead of President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign rally at the Siegel Center Saturday, state leaders on both sides of the aisle are set to hold press conferences Friday morning, focusing in on the president’s economic record.

According to a press release, Governor Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and Delegate Barbara Comstock (R- McLean) will gather at Ball Office Products, a small business facility in Richmond, to “discuss President Obama’s disastrous economic record”.

Democrats are planning to present a counter argument to the republicans’ claims. Representative Bobby Scott (D- VA-03), State Senator Donald McEachin (D- Henrico County), and Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D- Richmond) have scheduled a press conference to be held an hour before the GOP’s press event on the corner of Westmoreland and Par Streets, just outside the republican gathering at Ball Office Products.

A written release sent to CBS 6 says they will “set the record straight, and highlight Mitt Romney’s record of raising taxes and fees on small businesses as Governor of Massachusetts.”

The conferences fall on the same day the April unemployment report will be released. Analysts expect it will show 163,000 new jobs added, while the unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 8.2 percent.

According to an Associated Press survey, 32 economists believe the unemployment rate will dip below 8 percent by Election Day, but they say it could take at least three more years before the rate falls below 6 percent, which would signal a healthy economy.