Obama says still more work to do to create jobs

(CBS News) -- President Obama hailed the nation's drop in the unemployment rate Friday, but acknowledged there is much more work to be done as he prepares for what is expected to be a contentious fight with Mitt Romney over the next seven months that is likely to center around whose vision for restoring the U.S. economy to full strength is more in tune with American voters.

"Our economy's now created more than 4 million private sector jobs over the past 2 years. And more than 600,000 in the past 3 months alone," Mr. Obama said in remarks to a forum at the White House on women and the economy.

"But, it's clear to every American that there will still be ups and downs along the way and that we got a lot more work to do, and that includes addressing challenges that are unique to women's economic security," he said.

The Labor Department said earlier in the day that the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent, the lowest level since the month Mr. Obama took office, though the economy added just 120,000 new jobs last month, a far slower pace than expected. Prior to the report's release, economists had predicted the economy had added about 200,000 jobs in March.

The former Massachusetts governor and man who is widely seen as Mr. Obama's likely opponent in the fall was quick to note the report's weakness.

"This is a weak and very troubling jobs report that shows the employment market remains stagnant," Romney said in a prepared statement less issued less than an hour after the report's morning release.

"It is increasingly clear the Obama economy is not working and that after three years in office the president's excuses have run out," the Republican presidential candidate said.

House Speaker John Boehner echoed Romney's message, calling the report evidence of President Obama's failed economic policies."

"Unemployment is far too high, paychecks are shrinking, gas prices are rising faster than ever, and our debt now exceeds the size of our entire economy," Boehner said.

[slatep]

NO KIDDING.!!!

[michaelz06]

There is certainly "much work to do", and as soon as we get this guy gone, perhaps it can be done.

[RobAla]

With an unemployment rate at 8.2%, of course there is much to do regarding jobs - and President Obama is not doing it. President Reagan inherited a terrible recession from President Carter, but President Reagan's policies actually worked. We came out of that recession fast. President Obama decided to ignore proven policy that works, and this recession has dragged on.

[TimeToEvolve]

We did not seem to have the same problems we have now with unemployment, high prices and falling wages for the Middle Class before the fake free trade agreements so that is a bogus argument.

We really started going downhill under Reagan when he declared the War on Unions and thus the War on the Middle Class. Now because of the fraudulent free market, we have seen the wealth of the very rich skyrocket which was their plan.

[TimeToEvolve]

We can do much if we repeal the fake free trade agreements that were written by and for the Top 1%. At the expense of the rest of the world.

Put massive penalties on all existing and future jobs that were outsourced.

Put massive import duties on good manufactured overseas to level the playing field for US manufacturers.

[ConSense]

Sure! Then, prices for everything we buy will skyrocket because of those "massive import duties," while other countries who buy OUR stuff will also impose "massive import duties" and we'll need to lay off workers because we can't sell outside of the U.S. In the meantime, you'll see work stoppages from Unions who will demand higher wages because they know there will be "massive penalties" to companies who try to find cheaper labor elsewere. Of course, the Unions will get their way, FURTHER driving up prices for us all.

Other than those minor items, GOOD THINKING!

[involved_indi]

His numbers don't compute with the government sites. Another article on this site says "March numbers disappoint". Thats because the seasonal uptick for the holidays are now out of the picture. The U.S. economy is slowly improving but not fast enough and not because of anything ANY politicians are doing.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

I agree with you that it is not any politicians doing that new jobs have been created. But it is amazing how people say ONLY or JUST 120,000 jobs were created. I think the 120,000 people think it is great news.

[ConSense]

The 12.7 MILLION that are still unemployed aren't impressed.