WSET.com - ABC13Cantor Attacks Obama's Economic Policy at W&L

Reporter: Mark Kelly l Videographer: Parker Slaybaugh

Lexington, VA - Friday, at Washington and Lee's Mock Convention, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor attacked the economic vision President Obama outlined in the State of the Union Address.

Cantor says the President is playing at politics, pitting rich against poor; Cantor wants a politics of multiplication - choices and free market.

"I propose a 20% small business tax cut to help the backbone of our economy - American small business people," said Cantor.

Cantor drew a line in the sand, outlining where he disagrees with President Obama. In the State of the Union, the President said he laid out a blueprint for an economy "built to last." Cantor says that the President and federal government should not be in the economy building business. That, he says, is the private sector's job.

"It grows from the somewhat chaotic but wonderfully inventive and creative networking and interactions of people - sellers and buyers in a free market," said Cantor.

Out of the limelight, Cantor turned from the economy to today's pressing political headlines. The late breaking issue: President Obama's announcing a compromise over religious entities funding free contraception. For Cantor, contraception's far from settled.

"I think there is still a lot of concern around the country about individuals and entities with religious beliefs now not being allowed to pursue those because of an edict by this President," said Cantor.

One issue Cantor did not weigh in on - who will be the GOP nominee? Fortunately, Washington and Lee students are confident they'll have that figured out when they vote this weekend.

"Knock on wood. We are on track to do a correct prediction tomorrow, which would be awesome," said Kali McFarland, W&L Mock Con media chair.

Saturday, W&L students will vote who they think will be the GOP nominee. It's an educated, researched-based decision. But, officials would give no hint Friday who's looking like they'll get the GOP nod.

And as for the President's proposal that employer health care provide contraception for women, that will now be on insurance companies to dole out.