Are Americans Finally Going Back to Work?

On the Friday edition of Washington Unplugged, host Bob Schieffer discussed the new employment numbers and President Obama's approval rating with Politico's Eamon Javers.

The private sector added 123,000 new jobs last month, the best month overall for employment numbers since May of 2007. The US Census provided its own boost to the job market, bringing the overall number of jobs created to 162,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 9.7 percent.

This news appeared to be a boon to the Obama administration, especially coming on the heels of a recent sag in the president's approval rating following the passage of health care legislation last week. Javers said the White House was thrilled to receive the news on jobs.

"They're trying to get as big of a bounce out of this politically as they can," said Javers.

A recent CBS News poll found the president's approval rating had dropped in the wake of health care reform, but the employment news may provide Mr. Obama with some political capital. The president is on the road today talking about the economy, and Javers said the White House will tout this employment victory for the foreseeable future.

"In the past the White House has been reduced to saying the economy is getting 'less and less bad,'" said Javers. "Now they can finally say it is getting good."

The day before the big employment announcement, President Obama hit the White House basketball court for a round of "POTUS,"the presidential version of "Horse." Joining him for the game were CBS Early Show anchor Harry Smith and CBS college basketball commentator Clark Kellogg.

Watch Washington Unplugged above. It includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview about the basketball game as well as an Unplugged Under 40 with University of Maryland's ACC Player of the Year Greivis Vasquez and Coach of the Year Gary Williams.