POLAND, Ohio (July 6, 2012)--President Barack Obama said Friday private sector job growth is a "step in the right direction," but the economy must grow faster following a modest monthly job report.

Mr. Obama spoke on the second day of a bus tour through Ohio and Pennsylvania as the government reported that only 80,000 jobs were created in June, leaving the jobless rate unchanged at 8.2 percent.

Campaigning in New Hampshire, Republican presidential rival Mitt Romney called that rate "unacceptably high" and said Mr. Obama must take responsibility for failed policies.

Mr. Obama says the nation has created 4.4 million private sector jobs during the past 28 months, but said, "It's still tough out there."

He said voters must help break a "stalemate" in Congress that he says is preventing stronger job growth.