President Barack Obama (file photo)
With the U.S. economy growing for the first time in a year, PresidentBarack Obama says the country is moving in the right direction. But the president admitsthat prosperity still lies far ahead.

This week's report thatthe U.S. gross domestic product grew by 3.5 percent from July toSeptember shows encouraging prospects for the nation's economy. ForPresident Obama, it's a welcome relief from months of bad economic news.

"Buttoday, I am pleased to offer some better news that, while not cause forcelebration, is certainly reason to believe that we are moving in theright direction," he said.

In his weekly Internet and radioaddress, the president says some signs of a turnaround are due to his$787 billion economic stimulus plan, which he says has saved or createdmore than one million jobs.

"While we have a long way to gobefore we return to prosperity, and there will undoubtedly be ups anddowns along the road, it is also true that we have come a long way,"said Mr. Obama. "It is easy to forget that it was only several monthsago that the economy was shrinking rapidly and many economists fearedanother Great Depression."

The president's optimism is temperedby a 9.8 percent unemployment rate in September, the highest in 26years. And the October report due next week could show joblessnessabove 10 percent. Mr. Obama acknowledges that many Americans are stillhurting, but says progress has been made.

"We will not createthe jobs we need unless the economy is growing; that is why this GDPreport is a good sign," said the president. "And we can see clearlynow that the steps my administration is taking are making a difference,blunting the worst of this recession and helping to bring about itsconclusion."

House Minority Leader John BoehnerOne aspect of the president's economic plan, aproposal to reform the way Americans pay for health care, is drawingmore criticism from opposition Republicans. In the party's weeklymessage, House of Representatives Minority Leader John Boehner says thebill being advocated by Speaker Nancy Pelosi will do more harm thangood.

"Speaker Pelosi's health bill will raise the costs ofAmericans' health insurance premiums, it will kill jobs with tax hikesand new mandates, and it will cut seniors' Medicare benefits," he said.

Boehner says the Republicans' alternate plan for health reform would have several benefits the Democrats' plan does not.

"Numberone: Let families and businesses buy health insurance across statelines," he said. "Number two: Allow individuals, small businesses andtrade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance atlower prices, the same way large corporations and unions do today."

Boehner is also calling for limiting malpractice suits against doctors and hospitals.