Some Responses To The September Jobs Report

The Labor Department released the September jobs report today and it claims that employers added 103,000 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate held at 9.1 percent for the third straight month.

However, about half of the jobs were for Verizon workers returning to work after a strike, according to Bloomberg. Economists therefore forecast that employers only added 56,000 jobs.

The increase in hiring was modest, but not nearly enough to keep up with population growth, reports the Associated Press.

What has been the response to these numbers? From both sides of the aisle, it's pretty much what you would expect:

JOHN BOEHNER:"Today’s report underscores the urgency for both parties to find common ground on common-sense solutions to create a better environment for private-sector job creation. Republicans have outlined for President Obama possible areas of common ground, and just yesterday we passed a bipartisan measure to stop excessive regulations that threaten thousands of American jobs. Unfortunately, while the House has passed more than a dozen jobs bills this year, most have yet to receive a vote in the Democratic-led Senate."

"Our unemployment rate has been higher than eight percent for more than two-and-a-half years, far above what the Obama Administration promised with the ‘stimulus.’ For many groups, including teenagers, Hispanics, and African Americans, the jobless rate is even higher. These sad numbers show that more Washington spending, threats of higher taxes on small businesses, and excessive government regulations don’t create a healthy environment for job growth."

"The American people are asking the question: ‘where are the jobs?’ The Democrats running Washington need to stop campaigning, start listening, and start working with Republicans to liberate our struggling economy and remove government barriers to private-sector job growth.”

MICHELE BACHMANN: "The new unemployment report, showing unemployment at 9.1 percent, is a reminder that President Obama was correct yesterday when he said the economy needed 'a jolt,' because, as he said, America is at risk of a 'double-dip recession.' That 'jolt' should be good economic medicine, unfortunately, the President is offering only bad medicine--higher taxes, more spending, more dubious 'green jobs' boondoggles, and more tactical blame-gaming."

"Today's report, showing the creation of just 103,000 jobs, is a warning sign that we could be entering another recessionary period--although, for many Americans, the previous recession never ended. And this week we have been reminded yet again that the President is offering no good plan, and thus no real hope. As President Harry Truman said, 'the buck stops here.' Mr. President - you can't hide from your responsibility and if you try, you won't succeed; for that reason, you will be a one-term president."

KATHERINEABRAHAM (Member of the president’s Council of Economic Advisors): “Clearly, we need faster economic growth to put Americans back to work."

“Today’s report underscores the President’s call for Congress to pass the American Jobs Act to put more money in the pockets of working and middle class families; to make it easier for small businesses to hire workers; to keep teachers in the classroom; to put construction crews to work rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure; and other measures that will help the economy grow while not adding to the deficit over ten years.”

DAVID McKINLEY, R-W.Va.: “Today’s jobs report continues to prove that President Obama’s first stimulus did not work.”

“While there are a few parts of his so-called jobs bill on which we can work together, be must be willing to work with the other side and accept some of our ideas as well."

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JON HUNTSMAN: "The President refuses to take on the serious tax and regulatory reforms . . . that are needed if this economy is going to get on its feet. The current rate of job growth will still leave us above 9 percent unemployment for many months -- an unacceptably high level. Big problems require bold solutions; since the President is not willing to offer them Americans need to elect someone who will."

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NANCY PELOSI: "Today's report makes it clear: we must act now to put people back to work, strengthen our small businesses and grow our economy. Americans cannot afford to wait any longer.

"For 276 days in the majority, House Republicans have failed to enact any jobs measures or put forth a clear jobs agenda. And they've rejected repeated Democratic proposals to bolster small businesses and entrepreneurs, boost manufacturers through our 'Make It In America' initiative, and create good-paying jobs here at home.

"It's time for Republicans to get off the sidelines and take up President Obama's American Jobs Act – to put people to work rebuilding America, strengthen small businesses so they can grow and hire, and keep teachers, police officers, and firefighters on the job. And we must ensure that the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction focuses on economic growth because the most effective way to reduce the deficit is through job creation.

“Americans are waiting; Democrats have been prepared to act; and Republicans must join us to create jobs now."

HARRY REID: "The jobs growth reported today is stronger than expected but not nearly good enough when millions of Americans remain unemployed, and millions more are struggling to make ends meet. Our job will not be complete until all Americans who want to work are able to find jobs and support their families.

“On Tuesday, we will vote on President Obama’s jobs bill, which cuts taxes for the middle class and puts Americans back to work building roads, bridges and schools – and pays for these job-creating programs by asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. Economist Mark Zandi said today that failing to pass the bill’s tax cut for the middle class could lead to a double-dip recession. I hope Republicans will listen, and do the right thing for our economy by working with Democrats to create jobs.”

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NEWT GINGRICH: "Government does not create jobs. The American people create jobs.

"Ronald Reagan understood this. In September 1983, his third September in office, the American people created 1.1 million new jobs, the largest single month jobs boom since World War II.  Reagan had defied the experts and stuck to his bold agenda of tax and regulatory reform, and by the fall of 1983, America had emerged from recession stronger, more dynamic, and more productive than ever."

"Last Friday marked the end of Barack Obama's third September in office. He spent much of it trying to double-down on his jobs policies that have already failed: Government stimulus, White House-directed investments, wealth redistribution. This morning we learned that job-creators gave him yet another vote of no confidence, and hired only 103,000 Americans – below the job creation rate required to merely keep up with population growth. 25.8 million Americans remain unemployed or underemployed. The Obama Depression continues.

MITT ROMNEY (FOX and Friends Interview): "Well, you can learn some lessons from Ronald Reagan and what he did after the recession when he came into office and he made sure that government was not burdening the enterprise system. He kept taxes low. Held down regulation. Expanded trade around the world. And in the month of September following the recession he inherited, we actually created over a million jobs. So what you're seeing now is the result of a failed economic policy by a president who has been in office three years and is looking for someone to blame."

Doocy: Mr. Romney, wouldn’t you say that the President knows his jobs bill and the way it is right now is not going to pass and all he's doing is trying to portray the U.S. Congress as a bunch of do nothings like Harry Truman did to score political points for next year.

Mitt Romney: You know, I think he's having a very hard time doing that because the American people remember that for the first two years of this president's administration, after he inherited the recession, he had a Democrat House and a Democrat Senate. He had his way with legislation. He could do whatever he wanted. He passed a massive stimulus bill, said he'd hold unemployment below 8 percent. It hasn't been below 8 percent since. So he's had his way and trying to find someone new to blame is simply not going to work.

Watch the FOX and Friends Romney Interview:

(H/T: Business Insider)

The Associated Press contributed to this story.