The U.S. economy added 80,000 jobs in June, keeping the unemployment rate steady at 8.2 percent. The news suggests the recovery remains on tenuous ground at least as far as employment is concerned, coming on the heels of several months of weaker-than-expected jobs reports.In another dispiriting sign earlier in the week, manufacturing job growth contracted for the first time in three years, casting doubt on a sector that has been a rare bright spot in recent months. In terms of its political impact, manufacturing growth is thought to have a disproportionate effect on voting patterns, and President Obama has pointed to the sector’s growth as one of his proudest achievements, especially in states like Ohio and Michigan.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=97306