President Obama said today the economy is still recovering despite disappointing growth in the past three months, thanks in large part to a once-crippled car industry that is coming back with government help.

"I placed that faith in you," Obama told auto workers after touring a Chrysler plant in Detroit."Today this industry is growing stronger. It's creating new jobs ... You are proving the naysayers wrong."

Obama spoke hours after the Commerce Department reported a 2.4% growth in April, May, and June, less than the 3.7% in the first quarter of the year.

Still, Obama noted that the last recession saw periodic drops of 6%, and that the gross domestic product has increased four straight quarters, meaning that "it's been growing again for one full year."

"Our economy is growing again instead of shrinking," Obama said. "And that's a welcome sign compared to where we were. But we've got to keep on increasing that rate of growth and keep adding jobs so we can keep moving forward."

The car industry is contributing to the comeback, a year after the government helped bailed out Chrysler and GM as they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

"Just over a year ago, the future here seemed very much in doubt," said Obama, who visits a GM plant later today.

Obama said his plan met with some skepticism, "and I understand that. Look, this was a hard decision. I didn't want government to get into the auto business. I've got enough to do."

But it is working, he said: "Today, U.S. automakers have added 55,000 jobs since last June, the strongest job growth in more than 10 years in the auto industry."

Unemployment does remain high, however, Obama said: "We've got a long way to go, but we're beginning to see some of these tough decisions pay off. We are moving forward."

The president also made a political plug in referencing the opposition of Republicans and other critics.

"If some folks had their way, none of this would have been happening," Obama said. "Just want to point that out, right? I mean ... this plant and your jobs might not exist."

(Posted by David Jackson)