U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told a group of Chicago business leaders today that Obama administration policies prevented a recession and laid the foundation for economic growth. Geithner argued to the Economic Club of Chicago that early Obama administration policies, initiatives Geithner was a central figure in developing like the stimulus plan and an auto industry bailout, spurred growth in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and high-tech sectors.

The speech revealed how President Barack Obama may pitch himself to the business community during his re-election campaign. Geither gave business-friendly remarks, while also hammering Republicans for going too far in their opposition to any form of taxes or regulation. Geithner called Republican budget ideas, "thinly-veiled social Darwinism."