[night reader]

Lately, Democratic presidential candidates have done exactly the opposite, making a recovering economy seem a cesspit of misery.

Hate to sound negative, and I'm not a troll, a dim, or anything akin, but JOBS are where the race will be won or lost.

If he's out of work, it's cause for concern. If you're out of work, it's a recession. If I'm out of work, it's a depression.

Somehow, someone has to start creating jobs at a phenomenal rate or at least convince people that it's being done. Otherwise, I'm very fearful.

[So Cal Rocket]

Average Unemployment Rates for the 00's as compared to the last 4 decades:

2000's: 5.0% (current 5.6%)
1990's: 5.8%
1980's: 7.8%
1970's: 6.1%
1960's: 4.9%

Historically speaking - we are NOT in a high unemployment period.

(Data taken from BLS, decade average based on averaging the January unemployment rate in each of the ten years in the decade)

[lasereye]

Somehow, someone has to start creating jobs at a phenomenal rate or at least convince people that it's being done.

It doesn't look like it's going to happen until sometime in the second half of this year at the earliest, and maybe not until next year, just in time for President Kerry to take credit. I have a feeling we'll get some good numbers in the last one or two reports before the election, but the media will tell everyone to ignore it. Just like in 92 when we got an initial estimate of 3rd quarter growth of over 5%, and Peter Jennings instructed his viewers not to pay any attention. Then after Clinton won it was revised upwards to over 7%.