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Obama Touts Jobs Numbers

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally in Hilliard, Ohio, November 2, 2012.
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally in Hilliard, Ohio, November 2, 2012.

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Kent Klein

November 02, 2012

WHITE HOUSE — Four days before the election, President Barack Obama Friday called the October U.S. unemployment numbers “real progress,” but he said there is “more work to do.” 

Obama was referring to the government's Friday report that showed the unemployment rate edged higher in October, to 7.9 percent, from 7.8 percent in September. 
However, 171,000 jobs were created, far exceeding analysts’ prediction of 125,000 new positions.

The last major economic report before Tuesday’s presidential election appears to include figures that support both candidates’ arguments.

U.S. unemployment statistics for October, 2012.
U.S. unemployment statistics for October, 2012.

At a rally near Columbus, Ohio, Friday, the president concentrated on the better-than-expected number of new jobs.

“This morning we learned that companies hired more workers in October than at any time in the last eight months," said Obama.

However, he said more work lies ahead, adding that he should be the one to do it.

“As long as there is a single American who wants a job and cannot find one, as long as there are families working harder but falling behind, as long as there is a child anywhere in this country who is languishing in poverty and barred from opportunity, our fight goes on.  We have got more work to do,” Obama said.

Romney, campaigning near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pointed out that the unemployment rate is one-tenth of a percentage point higher than in January 2009.  He said the nation’s economic recovery has fallen far short of what Obama promised four years ago.

“Unemployment is higher today than when Barack Obama took office.  Think of that: Unemployment today is higher than on the day Barack Obama took office.”

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, arrives for a campaign stop in West Allis, Wisconsin, Nov. 2, 2012.
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, arrives for a campaign stop in West Allis, Wisconsin, Nov. 2, 2012.

Romney said the higher jobless rate is a reminder that the economy is at a “virtual standstill.”

Meanwhile, both candidates have been campaigning before increasingly enthusiastic crowds. Supporters at Democratic rallies shouted "four more years!," reflecting their desire for another term for the president. Republican crowds have a slightly different chant, "four more days," their way of counting down to Election Day next Tuesday.

Both candidates are spending much of Friday concentrating on Ohio, the battleground state many analysts believe is the most likely to decide the outcome of Tuesday’s vote.

Obama had three events scheduled Friday in Ohio, Governor Romney two.  By one count, the president has made 35 visits to Ohio in his four-year term, and 19 this year, with more expected before Tuesday.

Romney has also been campaigning in Wisconsin, where Obama has consistently led, but Republicans say they have a chance to win. 

The Obama campaign countered Friday by sending Vice President Joe Biden to speak at a rally in Wisconsin. 
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by: Anonymous
November 03, 2012 12:59 AM
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I am have a business degree. Try to google seasonally adjusted

by: Anonymous
November 03, 2012 12:58 AM
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Obama is a bad president.

by: Tom from: Nj
November 02, 2012 2:47 PM
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Obama deserves a second term to complete the job.Period.

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by: Elizabeth from: Atlanta
November 03, 2012 5:23 AM
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Choosing Obama for the president

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by: Nereyda from: Oneil
November 02, 2012 11:57 PM
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In the USA if you dont complete a job in a timely matter you get FIRED!!!!!!

by: Sancho from: Michigan
November 02, 2012 12:34 PM
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Sorry Mitt, but this time one of your talking points works against you. You always liked to say the unemployment rate appeared lower than it actually was because people were "giving up" looking for work. Well, this time the unemployment rate went up a tenth of a percent, because thousands of new jobs have been consistently created every month for over three years, confidence is rising, and more unemployed who had previously "given up" have started looking again.

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by: Anonymous
November 03, 2012 12:42 PM
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A 10th of a percent is not good...thanks for shedding light on this. ROMNEY 2012

by: Jeffrey Lim
November 02, 2012 11:35 AM
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No surprise here. Romney's entire campaign has been about distorting the truth. Why would anyone elect someone so patently untrustworthy?

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by: Nereyda Oneil from: Orlando
November 02, 2012 11:53 PM
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Dear friends 15 years ago I came to USA from CUba. There I had a president similar at the one that. I have today: He used children in his campain and give things free and ask us to believe in his ideas, I wont give Obama 4 more years because I do not want USA to become like Venezuela or Cuba, trust me I know how it looks like and it looks Like OBAMA. Blame others, divide and conquer, take from the Rich and give to the poor (it doesnt work take Cuba and Venezuela's example) fire Obama before is to late, we can hardly buy groceries and gas together for the prices and the salariers are the same and he is asking for more trust? No thanks I know how it looks and it looks like OBAMA!

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