Quote:
Originally Posted by CJ7
crawling out of a deep seated, bloody recession and keeping the countrys head above water doesnt count ... regardless of the republican house and their every attempt to quell multiple opportunities to help the country stand a little taller, Obama has had every chance in the world to bring unemployment down to 4%, cut the deficit a trillion dollars, and reduce the national debt to post Clinton numbers.
(sarcasim disclaimer for the mental midgets)
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I assume your sarcasm means that Obama has not been given every chance in the world to reduce unemployment.
Lets Compare Obama and Clinton records on unemployment (not that I am saying Presidents create jobs)
First two years Clinton had a 258-176 majority in House and 57-43 in Senate. Obama had 257-178 in House and 57-41 in Senate (With Lieberman as an I but really a Democrat and Bob Sanders of Vermont as a Democratic Socialist) effectively a 59-41 majority.
Now lets look at the unemployment numbers.
Clinton started in Jan 1993 with a 7.3% unemployment number which was the highest of his 8 years. Obama started in Jan 2009 with a 7.8% unemployment number which is the lowest of his presidency.
In his first 2 years Clinton's rate went from 7.3 to 5.6%. he then lost the House 204-230 in his second term but maintained a 52-48 majority in the Senate. (Obama lost the House 193-242 maintained 53-47 in Senate). Clintons Second 2 years unemployment hovered from 5.8 to 5.3%. He then lost Senate in his second term and unemployment dropped to 4.0 % and hovered there for his last two years.
Obama in his first two years has unemployment record of 7.8 to 9.1. His peak has been 10.0% It was at 9.8 prior to the election in Nov 2010. His second 2 years unemployment has dropped from 9.1 to 8.2% with an essentially divided congress that has really done nothing.
I hardly think that the blame the Republican House argument holds any water when the Obama was unable to duplicate the success of the Clinton administration given a similar situation in his first 2 years.
I would in fact say that had the republicans not won the house we may actually be in much worse shape.
Once again I would like to re-iterate that I do not believe the President creates jobs. I do believe that the job market is affected by the actions of our government which are negative to the economy.
So CJ7, I know that you had the sarcasm disclaimer and you may already understand this. I guess I just do not know what part of your statement was sarcasm. I just want to clear the air on wether or not Obama had a chance to fix the unemployment situation.