The White House is coming under criticism from Democrats and union leaders for praising the loss of US jobs to other countries. Last week Gregory Mankiw, the president’s chief economic adviser, said “Outsourcing is a growing phenomenon, but it’s something that we should realize is probably a plus for the economy in the long run.” And this week the White House released a report to Congress that concluded the movement of U.S. factory jobs and white-collar work to other countries will be part of a positive transformation that will enrich the U.S. economy over time, even if it causes short-term pain and dislocation. Presidential candidate John Edwards said of the Bush administration, “These people. What planet do they live on? They are so out of touch.”