Obama gets a lower unemployment rate

It won't mean anything to any election, but President Obama got more good economic news Friday on the jobs front.

The Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate dipped to 7.7%, its lowest level in four years.

The economy also added 146,000 jobs in November.

The monthly jobs reports were among the most-watched events of the 2012 election, as Republican candidate Mitt Romney sought to make the economy the major issue against Obama.

But the last few reports showed signs of recovery, and if anything benefited the incumbent's campaign.

Republicans, meanwhile, pointed out that the unemployment rate fell because so many people stopped looking for work.

"That's why America cannot afford President Obama's agenda of more stifling regulation, tax increases and reckless spending," said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

In a statement, the RNC said: "The labor force continues to shrink and long-term unemployment drags on."

There was little political anticipation of Friday's jobs report, but the jobs trajectory remains positive.

Said Alan B. Krueger, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers: "While more work remains to be done, today's employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy is continuing to heal from the wounds inflicted by the worst downturn since the Great Depression."

USA TODAY's take on the new jobs numbers:

"Employers added a better-than-expected 146,000 jobs in November, providing further evidence of an economy that continues to show resilience despite Superstorm Sandy and budget battles in Washington.

"The unemployment rate fell to a four-year low of 7.7% from 7.9% as 350,000 Americans left the labor force, which includes people working and looking for work, the Labor Department said.

"Businesses added 147,000 workers, while state, local and federal governments cut 1,000. Retailers, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality led the job gains.

"The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the storm 'did not substantively impact' employment in the Northeast."