(Greenville-AP) Nov. 10, 2003 - President Bush says the news on the economy is "pretty upbeat."

On a campaign fund-raising swing through two southern states, the president pointed to a recent spurt in economic growth and job-creation and declared, "That's really good." He says his tax-cutting and trade policies were a big factor.

Democrats say recent modest job gains follow more than two years of job losses totaling nearly three million.

In South Carolina, Bush stopped at BMW Manufacturing to talk about the economy in a region of the state that continues to lose manufacturing jobs. Bush says that although people may lose textile or other manufacturing jobs, there are programs to help people transition from one kind of job to another.

The president emphasized the need for "fair and free trade" and welcomed international companies, such as BMW, building US facilities that export around the world. Bush says US workers are the world's most productive and says that productivity eventually translates into better pay.

Many have tied the South Carolina textile job losses to his international trade policies. South Carolina has lost 58,800 manufacturing jobs since Bush took office. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show this is the highest per capita loss in the nation.

Bush says the economy has been through a rough two years with terrorist attacks, war and business scandals. There's only an inkling of better economic times ahead in South Carolina. A state board that advises budget writers said last week it expects the state's revenues to grow about the same rate as inflation.

Later in the evening, the president pulled in about $1.6 million for his re-election bid at a $2000-a-person dinner in Greenville. More than 500 people, including South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford and his wife, attended the fund-raiser. Members of about a half-dozen public interest groups also attended the dinner, protesting across the street.

Bush also met with Greenville volunteer Robin Longino to promote USA Freedom Corps, an effort to get more people involved in community service. For the past four years Longino has been a volunteer with Hands On Greenville, a service group that helps people with busy schedules find ways to perform community service.

Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who are participating in volunteer activities.

By matching official-duties events with $2000-a-ticket fund-raisers, the White House is able to pass along part of the travel tab to taxpayers. That tactic's been used by all recent presidents seeking re-election.

The president was last in South Carolina in May, when he delivered the keynote address at the University of South Carolina's commencement exercises.

Bush has also been stumping in Arkansas as he seeks to build his re-election warchest. His goal is to raise $170 million for a primary season in which he faces no major opposition.

In Arkansas, President Bush said recent numbers on the economy "look good" but not good enough. He pointed to recent signs of a spurt in economic growth and a jobless rate that's edging down.

While he says he's encouraged, Bush says he still intends to "stay focused" on the economy until American workers get jobs and can "put food on the table."

Updated 5:44pm by BrettWitt