Erie Officials Weigh in on Latest Unemployment Numbers

OCTOBER 7, 2012-On the heels of the first Presidential Debate, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released new unemployment numbers saying rates have dropped from 8.1 percent to 7.8 percent.

    Reports say these numbers have dropped to the lowest level since Obama first took office in 2008 when 800,000 jobs were lost a month.

    Erie County Democratic Chair Bill Cole says these numbers illustrate the drastic change Obama has made in office.

    Cole also says that those who are saying the numbers aren't factual are attempting to spark controversy.

    But Winston Chu, Co-Chair of the Erie County Republican Party, says the numbers need to be double checked.

Chu says The U6 Numbers, Labor Force Participation Rates and GDP rates haven't been factored in, and they will most definitely show that nothing has changed.

    And Chu says the numbers don't reflect improvements here in Erie County.

    Both Chu and Cole say these numbers will fluctuate.

    They also say the upcoming debates will play a major role in how people will cast their vote come Election Day.