Ohio in better condition now, Biden says

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- The United States and Ohio will emerge from the current recession stronger and more fiscally responsible than before, Vice President Joe Biden said Monday.

During a fundraising appearance in Columbus, Ohio, for first-term Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, D-Ohio, Biden touted the benefits of the federal stimulus plan in Ohio, calling a Kilroy an important partner in the effort.

"The question is, look at what you inherited, look at what Ohio got nailed with after eight years of absolute failed economic policy," he said.

Now, he said, banks have begun repaying federal loans and the government is starting to focus on buttressing the housing market.

"We're no longer talking about whether there will be a recovery. We're talking about how quickly it will occur. Because it's working," Biden said. "This new recovery is not going to be built on a dot-com bubble and it's not going to be built on a housing bubble. It's going to be built on a firm foundation."