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Stimulus saved or created 650,000 jobs: White House

The Obama White House on Friday said it believed the $787 billion economic stimulus plan approved early this year had saved or created about 650,000 jobs so far.

The stimulus, pushed through the U.S. Congress in February by President Barack Obama's Democrats, has been heavily criticized by Republicans because it has done little to stop U.S. unemployment from rising to 9.8 percent.

The Obama administration has been eager to counter the argument that the stimulus has been ineffective amid a Washington debate over whether a second stimulus might be in order.

Administration officials said they looked at $150 billion of the stimulus spending and determined it had created or saved about 650,000 jobs through September 30.

Vice President Joe Biden, who has taken a lead role in promoting the stimulus, was to talk about the report at a midday event.

The 650,000 figure was based on a look at state and local projects and activities paid for by the stimulus such as education funding, highway repairs and construction projects.

The reports did not capture the complete job impact of the tax cuts, direct payments to individuals through such programs as Pell Grants for college education and unemployment compensation.

"The majority of the funds were reported on by state governments, with both Republican and Democratic governors participating in the process," an official said.