Bush, Fed chief see no recession ahead

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Both Bush and Bernanke are on the front lines of the government's efforts to right an economy that increasing numbers of economists fear is on the verge of its first recession since 2001, if it hasn't fallen into one already.

The housing market's collapse, a credit crisis and galloping energy prices are crimping spending and investing. Those are mighty punches to a teetering economy that nearly stalled at the end of last year.

Bush and Bernanke acknowledged the dangers Thursday. But Bush, at a White House news conference, and Bernanke, in congressional testimony, seemed to strike the same hopeful note that the economy should be able to survive the fallout.

"I don't think we're headed to a recession, but no question we're in a slowdown," Bush said.

The Federal Reserve is not forecasting a recession. It does predict slow growth for this year as well as higher unemployment.

"I realize that my testimony wasn't the most cheerful thing you'll hear today ... but I do very much believe that the U.S. economy will return to a strong growth path with price stability," Bernanke told the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. It was his second day in a row on Capitol Hill discussing the economy.

Oil prices, which have set records in recent days, shot past $102 per barrel Thursday. Pump prices rose closer to record territory above $3 per gallon, with the prospect of $4 gasoline when the busy summer driving season arrives.

"That's interesting. I hadn't heard that. ... I know it's high now," Bush said during reporters' questioning.

Those high energy prices are a double-edged sword for the economy: They are spreading inflation and restraining economic growth because people clobbered by big bills to fill up their gas tanks and heat their homes are cutting back spending elsewhere.

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