The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent release of unemployment figures for August shows the nation still has a long climb back to boom, as numbers stayed about the same, 9.6 percent, as the month prior.
That 9.6 percent means 14.9 million Americans are unemployed, BLS said, in its August Employment Situation report. Moreover, the numbers haven’t significantly shifted in months.
“From May through August, the jobless rate remained in the range of 9.5 to 9.7 percent,” according to BLS.
The government agency traditionally counts in its unemployment report only those who are actively seeking work. Those who have abandoned the job search, are not included – meaning the actually number of out-of-work Americans who at one time held jobs is higher than 9.7 percent. Economists estimate this total unemployment rate for August at 16.7 percent.
Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, finds in a Sept. 2 survey that the current economic situation isn’t going to help Democrats much at the polls in November.
“The economy appears rotten, with little chance of a substantial comeback by November 2. Unemployment is very high, income growth sluggish and public confidence quite low. The Democrats’ self-proclaimed “Recovery Summer” has become a term of derision, and to most voters – fair or not – it seems that President Obama has over-promised and under-delivered,” Sabato wrote.
Based on this economic reality, as well as other issues like immigration and the controversy over location of the mosque in New York City, “Republicans have a good chance to win the House by picking up as many as 47 seats,” Sabato said. The Senate, meanwhile, could see eight seats shift Republican.
The White House Council of Economic Advisors, however, disputes the economy is that weak.
“Today’s employment report was better than expected,” said Christina Romer, council chair, in a Sept. 3 press release. “Private sector payrolls increased by 67,000 in August – the eighth consecutive month of private sector job growth. This growth is consistent with other recent data reports indicating that the economy is continuing to recover.”
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-530-3903.
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