Point Counterpoint: Jobs and the election

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla -- The latest figures show unemployment rates are up in 9 out of 10 battleground states.
But jobs were also added in many of those states.
Republicans are pouncing on the numbers.
People come and go from this employment office neat West Palm Beach.

Linda Janicki who came here looking for a job says, "I've been looking for a job over 6 months now."
Janicki was a language translator for the military in Iraq.  Recently widowed and losing her home and she's discouraged.
"I feel sorry for this economy, for this country.  I hope things will get better."

Unemployment rates rose last month in 44 states. Including in 9 of the 10 considered battleground states in the presidential election.

For example Florida's unemployment rate rose from 8.6% in June to 8.8% in July.  North Carolina it went from 9.4% to 9.6%.  Pennsylvania the rate went from 7.6% to 7.9%.  Ohio is the only battleground state exception where unemployment stayed constant at 7.2%.

Tom veenstra is with Work Force Alliance. "Part of it is just the seasonal effect. Hiring is down here in the summertime."

 The unemployment rate may be up in 9 of 10 battleground states but employers did add jobs in 5 of those 10 states.Point Counterpoint: Jobs and the election

Monday, September 10 2012, 09:39 AM EDT