Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and Good News for President Obama

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “200,000 New Jobs are Positive Sign in U.S. Economy,” represents some much needed good news for President Obama. It’s the sixth straight month the economy has added 100,000 or more jobs, and it enables the President to argue that he took over a financial disaster and is in the process of bringing the economy back.

The news was positive on nearly every front. Consumer confidence increased, and the recovery was broad-based in nearly every industrial sector. It is now up to Congress to ensure the recovery continues by extending the payroll tax cut through the whole year instead of just until February.

Of course, the Republican candidates are loath to give the President any credit for the improved economic conditions even though they are quick to attack him when the economy lags. Mitt Romney made an unsubstantiated claim that the President does not understand how the economy works despite the President’s erudite advisors.

And meanwhile, the events on the Republican side represent somewhat of a farce while the White House deals with the weighty matters of running the country. Tonight’s debate does prove to be entertaining though as Newt Gingrich promises to sink his teeth into Romney after being humiliated in Iowa by Romney’s Super PAC.