Unemployment Rate

Using BLS seasonally adjusted unemployment figures, here’s a look back at the performance of the last 4 administrations:

Reagan – From January 1981 to December 1982 the unemployment rate increased 44 percent. Over Reagan’s entirety the unemployment rate decreased 28 percent.

Bush 1 – From January 1989 to January 1993 the unemployment rate increased 35 percent.

Clinton – From January 1993 to January 2001 the unemployment rate decreased 43 percent.

Bush 2 – From January 2001 to January 2009 the unemployment rate increased 81 percent.

For those keeping score (from best performance to worst):

1. Clinton
2. Reagan
3. Bush 1
4. Bush 2

President Obama has seen a 25 percent increase in the unemployment rate over his first six months in office.