Yeah, it's important to remember that the drop in unemployment is because fewer people are looking for work, not because anything actually improved. Still not a good situation.

"So what does all this mean for President Obama's job prospects? Hard to say. "

If the President were Republican, you wouldn't be shy about suggesting what it might mean. Way to show your true partisan hack colors Toby!

@1: Well, the unemployment rate has dropped a full point since August, and much of that overall improvement, about three quarters, has been due to more people finding work. So it's important to keep that in perspective regardless of what the April numbers.

@2: Since when have I ever claimed not to be partisan? At least I'm honest about my bias and careful with my facts unlike my counterparts on the ed boards.

Does Baker elaborate an why he believes the unemployment numbers will go back up, rather than just devolve into a slow, slow trickle?

@2: I am unsure why exactly you have a problem with this very balanced, measured commentary on the economy. You seem to be arguing that Goldy is a partisan hack, while at the same time complaining that the post is not partisan enough to prove you right.

What?

looks like 3+ years of GOP obstruction is working as planned.

If a republican was president instead of Obama, we wouldn't even be talking about unemployment at all. We'd all be talking about our war in Iran.

Actually, the 8.1 percent number is seasonally adjusted, upwards. The raw figure is 7.7%, which is not a figure you're going to hear anyone from the GOP vocalizing.

Also, the employment situation is being exacerbated by local and state Republican governments all across the country, who are cutting budgets and forcing the lay off of employees. Teachers took a big hit last month.

Seattle is doing much, much better.

It's just the inefficient tax-subsidized suburbs and tax-subsidized rural areas that are hurting, quite frankly.

Goldy,
This intrigued me:

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/20…