Unemployment Figures A Mixed Bag

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The latest jobs report shows August was the eighth straight month of private job growth, but "that's not nearly good enough," U.S. President Obama said Friday.

The Labor Department said the unemployment rate in August rose to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent.

Obama noted the private sector produced 67,000 jobs in August, making it the eighth straight month of private-sector job growth.

"That's positive news," Obama said, "But it's not nearly good enough."

He said further steps must be taken to create jobs and keep the economy going, such as tax cuts for the middle class and tax breaks for small businesses.

Asked if he rued saying this summer was a "recovery summer," Obama said, "I don't regret the notion that we're moving forward. ... The key point we're making now is that the economy is moving in a positive direction. ... We just have to speed it up."

He called on Senate Republicans to stop blocking a small-business jobs bill that would extend incentives so businesses could grow.

"It is paid for," Obama said of the legislation. "It will not add one dime to our deficit. ... This piece of legislation is good for workers, it's good for small business and it's good for the economy, yet Republicans in the Senate continue to block this bill."

Obama said he would discuss a broader package of economy-stimulating measures next week.

House Minority Leader John Boehner called on Obama to work to end economic uncertainty and help more Americans find jobs.

"A year that began with Americans bracing for a jobless recovery has instead turned into a full-blown search for both jobs and a recovery. President Obama's agenda represented 'change' once, but now it is time for him to change course, abandon his job-killing policies and find himself a new economic team," the Ohio Republican said on his Web site.

"We need a Congress and a White House that will listen to the American people, who are asking 'Where are the jobs?' and help end the uncertainty for small businesses," Boehner said.

He said Republicans will soon outline a "clear and positive governing agenda" focused on reducing spending and "getting people working again."