FARK.com: (6803736) Obama says jobless rate could drop to 8 percent before he faces re-election ... but don't hold him to it

		Obama says jobless rate could drop to 8 percent before he faces re-election ... but don't hold him to it (sfgate.com)		135
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Hydra

2011-12-10 12:45:36 AM

"Unlikely" tag too busy waiting in the unemployment line?

phlegmmo

2011-12-10 01:27:14 AM

"I always believed that this was a long-term project," he said. "It was going to take more than a year. It was going to take more than two years. It was going to take more than one term. Probably takes more than one president."

Djkb

2011-12-10 08:40:10 AM

Didn't he himself say he would be a one term president if he didn't fix the economy?

edmo

2011-12-10 08:58:45 AM

7%.

Buy stocks now.

filth

2011-12-10 09:12:47 AM

Djkb: Didn't he himself say he would be a one term president if he didn't fix the economy?

That's a rule of American politics, but it doesn't have much to do with the unemployment rate. If there's even moderate GDP growth by next fall, he'll win. Simple as that.

Dusk-You-n-Me

2011-12-10 10:53:57 AM

GOP quoting this as a "promise" in 3...2...

coeyagi

2011-12-10 10:57:23 AM

Dusk-You-n-Me: GOP quoting this as a "promise" in 3...2...

Politifact seen running to the scene to report on GOP lies. Not seen: next higher tier watchdog to report on Politifact's waning credibility.

Brubold

2011-12-10 10:58:30 AM

I guess that all depends upon how many more workers drop out of the equation because they've stopped looking for work.

RandomExcess

2011-12-10 10:59:28 AM

Liberals will try and point out that unemployment is not even 1 1/2% higher than when Bush left office, or that we have had over 20 months of economic growth, or that the stock market is up 50% during the Obama Presidency, or that major corporations are showing all time record profits Q after Q, but the truth is the middle class and working class are suffering and nothing is being done to address that. If we cannot change now, when can we change? I cannot feed my children any more Hope(TM) they need results.

coeyagi

2011-12-10 10:59:47 AM

Brubold: I guess that all depends upon how many more workers drop out of the equation because they've stopped looking for work.

Or, to summarize, Fox News.

GhostFish

2011-12-10 11:00:23 AM

In a "60 Minutes" interview to air Sunday night, the president was asked specifically whether he would get the rate back down to 8 percent before next fall's general election.

"I think it's possible," Obama said, according to excerpts of the interview provided by CBS. "But ... I'm not in the job of prognosticating on the economy. I'm in the job of putting in place the tools that allow the economy to thrive and Americans to succeed."

Wow, that's...a totally rational and uninteresting statement.

coeyagi

2011-12-10 11:01:08 AM

sendtodave

2011-12-10 11:02:56 AM

adamgreeney

2011-12-10 11:03:10 AM

GhostFish

2011-12-10 11:03:12 AM

Mike_LowELL

2011-12-10 11:08:23 AM

GhostFish: prognosticating

This is why nobody takes the president seriously. Stop using big words, you idiot. You're not running for spelling bee champ. I have a friend who does the same thing. He says "Well, go online and look up the meaning of the word." Um, no? I have a life, you idiot. Lol.

deadcrickets

2011-12-10 11:09:22 AM

sendtodave

2011-12-10 11:11:20 AM

GhostFish: "I think it's possible," Obama said, according to excerpts of the interview provided by CBS. "But ... I'm not in the job of prognosticating on the economy. I'm in the job of putting in place the tools that allow the economy to thrive and Americans to succeed."

Wow, that's...a totally rational and uninteresting statement.

I'm not even sure what it means.

He's an infrastructure guy, maybe?

OH, BOY, ARE WE FINALLY FIXING INFRASTRUCTURE?

sendtodave

2011-12-10 11:13:05 AM

deadcrickets:
Can't change anything without Congress. Americans have a completely unrealistic view of how the government works.

Hey, now, Obama said it's his job to put in place the tools that allow the economy to thrive and Americans to succeed.

It's totally on him.

Soon Right Away

2011-12-10 11:13:32 AM

Mike_LowELL: GhostFish: prognosticating

This is why nobody takes the president seriously. Stop using big words, you idiot. You're not running for spelling bee champ. I have a friend who does the same thing. He says "Well, go online and look up the meaning of the word." Um, no? I have a life, you idiot. Lol.

Beautiful. The 'Lol' really sells it. And the two 'you idiot's... nice touch.

Chimperror2

2011-12-10 11:18:35 AM

Actual Obama quote: "It could drop to 8 percent. It could rise to 10 percent. I don't know. It all depends on stuff I don't understand."

And: "We are dropping people from the unemployment line in record numbers. Am I doing it right?"

Oerath

2011-12-10 11:26:51 AM

Brubold

2011-12-10 11:27:31 AM

coeyagi: Brubold: I guess that all depends upon how many more workers drop out of the equation because they've stopped looking for work.

Or, to summarize, Fox News.

To summarize, I'm covering for Obama because Obama.

How about looking up the real unemployment numbers and then getting back to me on this point.

Dusk-You-n-Me

2011-12-10 11:28:20 AM

Oerath: Anyone have that Colbert quote about toast and broken glass muffins?

29.media.tumblr.com

LasersHurt

2011-12-10 11:31:26 AM

Brubold: coeyagi: Brubold: I guess that all depends upon how many more workers drop out of the equation because they've stopped looking for work.

Or, to summarize, Fox News.

To summarize, I'm covering for Obama because Obama.

How about looking up the real unemployment numbers and then getting back to me on this point.

Every time I see someone suggest someone look at the "real" x, I want to slap them with my dick. Don't be a smarmy hairsplitting dick, either you have information of value or you don't. Share, or concede.

Oerath

2011-12-10 11:31:35 AM

Dusk-You-n-Me: Oerath: Anyone have that Colbert quote about toast and broken glass muffins?

Thanks. I'm on my phone, so its a pain to get stuff.

deadcrickets

2011-12-10 11:38:11 AM

sendtodave: deadcrickets:
Can't change anything without Congress. Americans have a completely unrealistic view of how the government works.

Hey, now, Obama said it's his job to put in place the tools that allow the economy to thrive and Americans to succeed.

It's totally on him.

1/10

LouDobbsAwaaaay

2011-12-10 11:39:31 AM

The GOP's goal: Keep unemployment above 8% at any cost. There can be no measurable improvement in anyone's lives (except the ultra-wealthy elite) while the Kenyan occupies the White House.

If our economy were the twin towers the GOP would be Al Qaeda on 9/11.

Soon Right Away

2011-12-10 11:44:36 AM

winterwhile: 3 years of Obama lies

does anyone believe the guy who put 3 million out of work???

best part... forever?

Obamacare = 1 Million forever
Regulations = 1 Million forever
Lack of leadership on the economy = 1 Million forever

and just the low estimates

one more term could double that number

I said it first here on Fark.....

Keep saying it, maybe it'll become true.

You are the dumbest person I don't know.

MyRandomName

2011-12-10 11:44:47 AM

edmo: 7%.

Buy stocks now.

Already tripled my money on AMR... like the government is actually going to let American Airlines fail... hahaha. New Investment strategy is to buy big business stock after a panic (bankruptcy fear) and then sell around when the Government makes efforts to save them. Been working well.

commonsensepolitics

2011-12-10 11:45:32 AM

LouDobbsAwaaaay 2011-12-10 11:39:31 AM

The GOP's goal: Keep unemployment above 8% at any cost. There can be no measurable improvement in anyone's lives (except the ultra-wealthy elite) while the Kenyan occupies the White House.

If our economy were the twin towers the GOP would be Al Qaeda on 9/11.

Taxpayers employing everyone in the US is probably not a good long term solution. Dontcha think? Extreme? Exactly like the comment posted above. No wonder we can't get anywhere in this polarized country. Clinton is looking better and better every day.

Brubold

2011-12-10 11:45:47 AM

LasersHurt: Brubold: coeyagi: Brubold: I guess that all depends upon how many more workers drop out of the equation because they've stopped looking for work.

Or, to summarize, Fox News.

To summarize, I'm covering for Obama because Obama.

How about looking up the real unemployment numbers and then getting back to me on this point.

Every time I see someone suggest someone look at the "real" x, I want to slap them with my dick. Don't be a smarmy hairsplitting dick, either you have information of value or you don't. Share, or concede.

Look up the U6 rate. It's the real number of unemployed as it counts those who have left the work force because they haven't been employed in so long that the government drops them out of their fake unemployment numbers.

This explains what I'm talking about. And these are the actual numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of November of this year that rate is 15% which is better than Nov '10 but still a long way off from where we need to be.

MyRandomName

2011-12-10 11:47:21 AM

RandomExcess: Liberals will try and point out that unemployment is not even 1 1/2% higher than when Bush left office, or that we have had over 20 months of economic growth, or that the stock market is up 50% during the Obama Presidency, or that major corporations are showing all time record profits Q after Q, but the truth is the middle class and working class are suffering and nothing is being done to address that. If we cannot change now, when can we change? I cannot feed my children any more Hope(TM) they need results.

You forgot one. The economic models (the ones that predicted 8% unemployment with Stimulus) prove the stimulus saved and created millions of jobs. Unbeknownst to them, if they actually looked at how the models worked, is that any increase in GDP (Government spending in this case) will ALWAYS show an increase in jobs based on the model. The Government could give a trillion dollars to Soros to store under his bead and the models will show an increase in jobs just from the cash switch and increase in GDP from it. Hilarious. SO many faults in that general economic model.

LasersHurt

2011-12-10 11:49:06 AM

Brubold: LasersHurt: Brubold: coeyagi: Brubold: I guess that all depends upon how many more workers drop out of the equation because they've stopped looking for work.

Or, to summarize, Fox News.

To summarize, I'm covering for Obama because Obama.

How about looking up the real unemployment numbers and then getting back to me on this point.

Every time I see someone suggest someone look at the "real" x, I want to slap them with my dick. Don't be a smarmy hairsplitting dick, either you have information of value or you don't. Share, or concede.

Look up the U6 rate. It's the real number of unemployed as it counts those who have left the work force because they haven't been employed in so long that the government drops them out of their fake unemployment numbers.

This explains what I'm talking about. And these are the actual numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of November of this year that rate is 15% which is better than Nov '10 but still a long way off from where we need to be.

What makes that the "real" one? Which was has historically been used the most?

Notabunny

2011-12-10 11:52:57 AM

I hope we get down to 8% through job creation. But we could also get down to 8% by people giving up their search for employment.

Brubold

2011-12-10 11:54:03 AM

LasersHurt: Brubold: LasersHurt: Brubold: coeyagi: Brubold: I guess that all depends upon how many more workers drop out of the equation because they've stopped looking for work.

Or, to summarize, Fox News.

To summarize, I'm covering for Obama because Obama.

How about looking up the real unemployment numbers and then getting back to me on this point.

Every time I see someone suggest someone look at the "real" x, I want to slap them with my dick. Don't be a smarmy hairsplitting dick, either you have information of value or you don't. Share, or concede.

Look up the U6 rate. It's the real number of unemployed as it counts those who have left the work force because they haven't been employed in so long that the government drops them out of their fake unemployment numbers.

This explains what I'm talking about. And these are the actual numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of November of this year that rate is 15% which is better than Nov '10 but still a long way off from where we need to be.

What makes that the "real" one? Which was has historically been used the most?

The one that Obama is using is the one that our politicians always use because it's easy to fix the numbers to present a cheerier outlook. Drop those pesky people who just can't seem to find a job to get back into the work force and the numbers all of a sudden don't seem quite as bad.

LouDobbsAwaaaay

2011-12-10 11:54:15 AM

commonsensepolitics: Taxpayers employing everyone in the US is probably not a good long term solution. Dontcha think? Extreme? Exactly like the comment posted above. No wonder we can't get anywhere in this polarized country. Clinton is looking better and better every day.

The GOP's professed, #1 priority is to make Obama a 1-term President. An economic recovery greatly enhances Obama's chances at re-election. After running on a campaign message of "jobs jobs jobs" in 2010, the GOP has done nothing but try to slash any service that would help economic recovery.

It doesn't take Scooby and the gang to solve this mystery. Government shutdown threats, deficit default threats, demands to layoff giant sectors of the public workforce at every turn, threats to defund federal disaster relief. This is economic terrorism. "Give us everything we want or we'll blow up the economy".

Don't accuse me of polarization just because I'm observant.

LasersHurt

2011-12-10 11:59:02 AM

Brubold: What makes that the "real" one? Which was has historically been used the most?

The one that Obama is using is the one that our politicians always use because it's easy to fix the numbers to present a cheerier outlook. Drop those pesky people who just can't seem to find a job to get back into the work force and the numbers all of a sudden don't seem quite as bad.

My point is that it's misleading and disingenuous to call it the "real" unemployment number. There are multiple scales that are used to determine multiple things, but neither is more "real" than any other.

In this case you're just substituting "real" for "the ones I agree with."

The Numbers

2011-12-10 11:59:14 AM

deadcrickets: RandomExcess: Liberals will try and point out that unemployment is not even 1 1/2% higher than when Bush left office, or that we have had over 20 months of economic growth, or that the stock market is up 50% during the Obama Presidency, or that major corporations are showing all time record profits Q after Q, but the truth is the middle class and working class are suffering and nothing is being done to address that. If we cannot change now, when can we change? I cannot feed my children any more Hope(TM) they need results.

Can't change anything without Congress.

I agree. Problem is that will still be true if Obama gets a second term. So unless it looks like the Dems are going to get a large majority in Congress, I'm considering doing the unthinkable and voting R for the WH.

I'll bear a grudge against them for a long time for the way they've behaved, but at the moment it may be the only way of breaking the gridlock that's damaging the economic recovery and sinking my business.

Mad Tea Party

2011-12-10 12:01:29 PM

Don't know why we're focusing on the real unemployment numbers. The economy is complex, so we have to include imaginary components as well.

LouDobbsAwaaaay

2011-12-10 12:01:36 PM

The Numbers: I agree. Problem is that will still be true if Obama gets a second term. So unless it looks like the Dems are going to get a large majority in Congress, I'm considering doing the unthinkable and voting R for the WH.

I'll bear a grudge against them for a long time for the way they've behaved, but at the moment it may be the only way of breaking the gridlock that's damaging the economic recovery and sinking my business.

This is the single stupidest thing posted to the internet, ever.

deadcrickets

2011-12-10 12:03:00 PM

winterwhile: deadcrickets: sendtodave: deadcrickets:
Can't change anything without Congress. Americans have a completely unrealistic view of how the government works.

Hey, now, Obama said it's his job to put in place the tools that allow the economy to thrive and Americans to succeed.

It's totally on him.

1/10

hes had 3 years to do just that

0/10

You must believe we operate a monarchy here.

DrD'isInfotainment

2011-12-10 12:07:55 PM

LouDobbsAwaaaay: The GOP's goal: Keep unemployment above 8% at any cost. There can be no measurable improvement in anyone's lives (except the ultra-wealthy elite) while the Kenyan occupies the White House.

If our economy were the twin towers the GOP would be Al Qaeda on 9/11.

Not to mention advancing their age old method of downdrafting the Black and Hispanic economy where unemployment is much higher than 8%, because they don't support the vaunted GOP in larger numbers.Rther than reach out a hand of reconciliation, they punish them and make Obama look bad in the process. They look at it like it's a win win. I'm sure there is a tacit understanding among GOP and Libertarian Elites to basically deliver payback to the demographics that clearly don't support their regressive, Reactionary bullshyt.

PortsmouthFarker

2011-12-10 12:17:18 PM

winterwhile: 3 years of Obama lies

does anyone believe the guy who put 3 million out of work???

best part... forever?

Obamacare = 1 Million forever
Regulations = 1 Million forever
Lack of leadership on the economy = 1 Million forever

and just the low estimates

one more term could double that number

I said it first here on Fark.....

So those people will never, ever get a job again as long as they live? And it's all the fault of Unemploymentbongo?

/IHBT I know

thamike

2011-12-10 12:19:05 PM

Yeah, that guy never follows through on anything except for the stuff he didn't even promise to follow through on, like killing Al Qaeda and somehow making the GOP lose their collective minds, causing them to basically argue themselves out of realistic political discourse. What is he thinking?

Free Radical

2011-12-10 12:23:05 PM

I hope unemployment comes down to at least 8%. People need the work.

If Obama pulls that off in the face of the levels of obstruction the GOP has thrown at him, it will be a monumental achievement.

too-old

2011-12-10 12:30:31 PM

winterwhile: 15 Trillion in dept

I know I am cherry picking but.....

When Obama took over the economy was in a free fall. Unemployment was falling at a percent a month. Stocks were all over the map. We were 9 trillion in debt (I know, 15 Trillion looks scarier when you blame it all on Obama). The World Bank was 3 hours away from default in Bush's last year. To blame this all on Obama is to have your head way up your ass. Obama hasn't achieved nearly what I was looking for, but Republicans scare the hell out of me. At least the economy is stabilizing and we are going into a positive direction now. Albeit slowly

rogue49

2011-12-10 12:32:29 PM

8% by April

7% by August

Market at 13,000
Oil at 65

The fundamentals are there, corporate mgmt is tired of cowering and just wants to make money
barring a European meltdown...

Still no US govt movement and debt still huge...although tons cut.

/you heard it here first

thamike

2011-12-10 12:37:53 PM

too-old: I know I am cherry picking but.....

I wouldn't say that. You are, however, trying to reason with a dumbass.

deadcrickets

2011-12-10 12:38:36 PM

The Numbers: deadcrickets: RandomExcess: Liberals will try and point out that unemployment is not even 1 1/2% higher than when Bush left office, or that we have had over 20 months of economic growth, or that the stock market is up 50% during the Obama Presidency, or that major corporations are showing all time record profits Q after Q, but the truth is the middle class and working class are suffering and nothing is being done to address that. If we cannot change now, when can we change? I cannot feed my children any more Hope(TM) they need results.

Can't change anything without Congress.

I agree. Problem is that will still be true if Obama gets a second term. So unless it looks like the Dems are going to get a large majority in Congress, I'm considering doing the unthinkable and voting R for the WH.

I'll bear a grudge against them for a long time for the way they've behaved, but at the moment it may be the only way of breaking the gridlock that's damaging the economic recovery and sinking my business.

Or you could vote for an R and by some miracle he wins. The Ds get control of Congress again (historical precedence) and will return the favor back to the Rs. That is the reality that the Rs have created.

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