UPDATE 1-Obama calls jobless rise "sobering"

Reuters ^ | Nov. 6, 2009 | Matt Spetalnick and Alister Bull

[Baladas]

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Friday the jump in the unemployment rate to 10.2 percent in October was a "sobering" figure that underscored the economic challenges ahead.

Obama, speaking after the U.S. jobless rate unexpectedly rose to a 26 1/2-year high, also said he had signed a bill that extended jobless benefits and homebuyer tax credits.

"I just signed into law a bill that will help grow our economy, save and create new jobs and provide relief to struggling families and businesses," Obama said in a statement delivered in the White House Rose Garden.

"The need for such a measure was made clear by the jobs report that we received this morning. Although we lost fewer jobs than we did last month, our unemployment rate climbed to over 10 percent, a sobering number that underscores the economic challenges that lie ahead," he said.

[Baladas]

"Sobering"??? Sounds like they're harshing his buzz.

Makes sense to me how there's fewer jobs lost in raw numbers and the unemployment rate spikes up like this considering that there's fewer jobs to lose in the first place. Sobering, in fact.

[Lazamataz]

Obama calls jobless rise "sobering"

So sober up already.

[MrB]

Internally he’s doing the Monty Burns’ “Excellent...”

[Perdogg]

Did he do a shout out this time?

[Gaffer]

Needs to lay off the WH parties, golfing and Krystall, date nights and get his as down to substantive work instead of campaigning...

[DownInFlames]

Where will it bottom out at? My guess 23% - officially - 31% unofficial.

[stayathomemom]

Internally he’s doing the Monty Burns’ “Excellent...”

We think alike!

[coconutt2000]

Damn these corners... This economic turn around is a veritable maze! /sarc

[SkyDancer]

Sobering??? So he’s been drunk all along .....

[NMEwithin]

Obama, speaking after the U.S. jobless rate unexpectedly rose to a 26 1/2-year high

[unkus]

Agreed. The worse for America, the better he likes it. Anything good for America is bad for him and his minions/masters.

[Rippin]

Sobering, but no basis to reconsider the the policy of doubling down on debt.

[FlyingFish]

"I just signed into law a bill that will help grow our economy, save and create new jobs..."

Didn't he use that same line when he signed the 800 billion dollar stimulus package, back when unemployment was at 7.6%?

[TSgt]

[HiTech RedNeck]

So sobering that it calls for Mad Dog 20 20

[BornToBeAmerican]

Zero...”oh my, I did nothing and they got worse, I talked some more and they got worse some more.”

“It will take time and effort, but I promise I will not stop talking until the unemployment rate drops”

FIRST RATE man CHILD

[fortunecookie]

President Barack Obama said on Friday the jump in the unemployment rate to 10.2 percent in October was a "sobering" figure that underscored the economic challenges ahead. -snip- "I just signed into law a bill that will help grow our economy, save and create new jobs and provide relief to struggling families and businesses," Obama said in a statement delivered in the White House Rose Garden.

I thought that what his last bills did? Do you suppose he's looking into - and will tell us - why his previous plans and things signed into law have thus far not worked so well. I'm not holding my breath.

Makes sense to me how there's fewer jobs lost in raw numbers and the unemployment rate spikes up like this considering that there's fewer jobs to lose in the first place. Sobering, in fact.

Exactly! Did he consider that in previous months?

[Logic n' Reason]

"Sobering"???????????????????????

Perhaps we could have Jason Rodriguez visit the white mosque and re-define the word "sobering" for our dear godlike muslim-in-chief.

[Godzilla]

It wasn’t too long ago that the 0bama said a 0.2% drop in the unemployment rate meant that the recession was over. Short term memory.

[shteebo]

Obamaspeak: “Sobering” (translation) Can’t get the dang waters to part so the healing can begin.