244,000 jobs Added in April, but Unemployment Rises to 9%

As the euphoria begins to wane over the death of Osama bin laden, the single most important issue facing American's is the state of the nation's economy. The president deserves praise for his handling of the death of bin Laden, but his re-election will depend on the state of the U.S. economy.

One has to remember that President H.W. Bush had close to 90% approval rating after the Persian Gulf War, but then suffered defeat to Bill Clinton less then eighteen months later. The economy became the signature issue of the 1992 election. For the 2012 election, the economy will be the paramount issue on voter's minds.

The economy created 244,000 jobs in April, but a real gauge of the strength of the economy will not be fully felt until mid-summer. Then we will feel the full impact on rising energy prices and food prices, and in June the Federal Reserve ends its policy of pumping over $600 billion into the market place in an attempt to boost the struggling economy.

The president's re-election hopes rest on the strength of the economy, if it improves he will be in good shape, if not, he will have a tough road ahead.

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