Candidates on jobless numbers

Both major-party presidential candidates have put their spin on today's discouraging jobless numbers.

The Labor Department reported that new applications for unemployment benefits rose by 15,000 last week to 478,000; jobless claims above 400,000 are considered a sign of recession. A year ago, there were 333,000 claims.

Democrat Barack Obama said in a statement, “The news that more Americans filed for unemployment benefits this week and that unemployment claims remain near a seven-year high is another urgent reminder of how badly American workers need a change from the disastrous economic policies of the last eight years. While Washington has done nothing to extend unemployment benefits and create new jobs and John McCain has no jobs plan whatsoever, I will immediately extend unemployment benefits, suspend the taxes on those benefits, and jumpstart job creation by giving small businesses emergency loans and tax credits for each new job they create.”

Republican John McCain said in his statement, "Today, we learned that another 478,000 Americans claimed unemployment benefits this week. Times are tough, and we need immediate action to take this economy in a new direction. Governor Palin and I will fight to reform Wall Street and Washington. We will make sure that bailout dollars are used to help deserving homeowners, stop the foreclosures and free-fall in housing prices, and make sure Americans can afford their house, pay their heat and drive their car. We will help the seniors and savers who have been damaged by the financial market meltdown. Our Jobs for America plan will create millions of new jobs. Barack Obama's only answer is to double-down on the Bush Administration's legacy of out-of-control spending, raise taxes on small businesses, impose mandates on employers, and raise trade barriers -- a time-proven recipe for turning tough economic times into terrible economic circumstances."