The news that the nation's jobless rate immediately led some of President Obama's critics to charge the the books had been cooked to help his reelection campaign.
"Unbelievable jobs numbers," . "These Chicago guys [the Obama campaign] will do anything ... can't debate so change numbers."
On CNBC, declared that " "
Conservative commentator Monica Crowley an "October surprise: 43 consecutive months of above 8% unemployment, & 1 month before election, the rate miraculously drops to 7.8%. Ahem."
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis has had a chance to respond to such talk: "I'm insulted when I hear that, because we have a very professional civil service," she said on CNBC. "I have the highest regard for our professionals that do the calculations at the (Bureau of Labor Statistics). They are trained economists."
At another point she called the charges "ludicrous."
Our colleagues at Planet Money about the lengths BLS goes to in an effort to keep its work secret and away from outside influence.
This isn't the last jobs report before the Nov. 6 election. October's figures are . Watch for more fireworks then.
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