Romney Campaign Press Release - Not Better Off: Another Dismal Jobs Report

"If last night was the party, this morning is the hangover. For every net new job created, nearly four Americans gave up looking for work entirely. This is more of the same for middle class families who are suffering through the worst economic recovery since the Great Depression. After 43 straight months of unemployment above 8%, it is clear that President Obama just hasn't lived up to his promises and his policies haven't worked. We aren't better off than we were four years ago. My plan for a stronger middle class will create 12 million new jobs by the end of my first term. America deserves new leadership that will get our economy moving again." – Mitt Romney

Today's Dismal Jobs Report Showed A Weak Economy And The 43rd Straight Month Of Unemployment Above 8 Percent:

In August, Employers Added Only 96,000 Jobs – "A Weak Figure." "U.S. employers added 96,000 jobs last month, a weak figure that could slow any momentum President Barack Obama hoped to gain from his speech to the Democratic National Convention." ("US Economy Adds 96K Jobs, Rate Falls To 8.1 Pct.," The Associated Press, 9/7/12)

• "A Disappointing Jobs Report." "U.S. stock futures lost steam Friday morning, following a disappointing jobs report. The Labor Department reported that 96,000 jobs were added in August, while the unemployment rate edged down to 8.1%." ("Investors Pull Back After Weak Jobs Report," CNN Money, 9/7/12)

"Adding To The Sense Of Weakness, Job Growth In The Past Two Months Were Revised Down By 41,000." (Greg Robb, "Job Growth Slows Sharply In August," Market Watch, 9/7/12)

The Labor Force Participation Rate Fell To Its Lowest Level Since 1981. "The labor force participation rate, or the percentage of Americans who either have a job or are looking for one, fell to 63.5 percent -- the lowest since September 1981." (Lucia Mutikani, "Jobs Growth Brakes In August, Seen Forcing Fed's Hand," Reuters, 9/7/12)

"The Economy Slogged Along For The 43rd Month In A Row With Joblessness Above 8 Percent." "American employers added 96,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department reported Friday. The unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent as the economy slogged along for the 43rd month in a row with joblessness above 8 percent." (Susanna Kim, "August Jobs Report: Unemployment Falls To 8.1 Percent," ABC News, 9/7/12)

The Jobs Report Is Just The Latest Bad News For Struggling Middle-Class Families:

The National Debt Hit $16 Trillion – "A New Record." "The gross debt of the United States has reached $16 trillion, the Treasury Department announced Tuesday on the first day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The Daily Treasury Statement puts the debt at $16.016 trillion, a new record." (Erik Wasson, "National Debt Reaches $16 Trillion As Dems Begin Their Convention," The Hill, 9/4/12)

"A Record 46.7 Million Americans Received Food Stamps In June..." "A record 46.7 million Americans received food stamps in June, up 0.4 percent from the previous month, the government said. Participation was 3.3 percent higher than a year earlier and has remained higher than 46 million all year as the unemployment rate has stagnated just above 8 percent. New jobless numbers will be released Sept. 7." (Alan Bjera, "Food-Stamp Use Climbed To Record 46.7 Million In June, U.S. Says," Bloomberg, 9/4/12)

Manufacturing Activity Declined To Its Lowest Level In Three Years. "The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Tuesday its index of manufacturing activity ticked down to 49.6. That's down from 49.7 in July and the lowest reading in three years. A reading below 50 indicates contraction." (Christopher Rugaber, "Survey: US Manufacturing Shrinks For A Third Month," The Associated Press, 9/4/12)

Gas Prices Have Continued To Increase – Reaching A "Record High For A Labor Day." "Democrats arrived in Charlotte on Monday to an ill-timed reminder of one of the issues plaguing President Barack Obama's reelection bid: high gasoline prices. Prices at the pump reached a national average of $3.83 Monday, according to AAA, setting a record high for a Labor Day. The previous Labor Day record of $3.69 was set in 2008, at the height of the last presidential election fight." (Andrew Restuccia, "Record-High Labor Day Gasoline Prices Greet Democrats In Charlotte," Politico, 9/3/12)