The US economy grew 1.8% in the 1st quarter, less than forecast. What does the 1.8% increase indicate to policy...

There is no single answer to this question.  The meaning
of this increase means different things to different policy
makers.

For example, to the Fed, it seems to mean that
there is still a need for further stimulus.  As the article says, the Fed has decided to
continue with stimulus spending because of this relatively slow growth.  To other policy
makers, this 1.8% gain means that something has to be done about the federal deficit. 
Republicans in particular would argue that it shows that the economy is not growing as
rapidly as it should and that the cause is excessive taxation and government spending. 
Still other policy makers would argue that the slow growth is almost all because of oil
prices.  These policy makers would argue for the need to improve America's energy
independence.

As with most economic statistics, the meaning
of the 1.8% growth is subject to debate.  Different policy makers will have different
opinions as to what has caused the slow growth and what should be done to increase the
rate of growth.