[NC28203]

Actually, the unemployment rate in October 1996, just before the election, was 5.2%. This was down from 7.3% when Clinton took office. The President's 5.5% compares to 4.2% when he took office. There may be little difference between 5.5% and 5.2%, but in the minds of the voters it may come down to "are you better off today than you were 4 years ago." For a small percentage of the population the answer would be no. Given that W lost the popular vote and squeaked by with the electoral vote, that small percentage of people could play a large role. Especially, if they are in key swing states.

[RWR8189]

July UE numbers are the same in 1996 and 2004.

[Doctor Stochastic]

The thing voters remember is that in 4 years under Clinton, unemployment wend down 2.1% and in 4 years under Bush, unempolyment went up 1.3%.

[Taliesan]

5.5 vs. 5.2? I stand corrected.