Controversy Jobs created during U.S. presidential terms

u.s. changes in employment selected time periods

the exact usefulness of these numbers debated. on 1 hand, include nonfarm payroll employment, excludes types of jobs, notably self-employed. however, semi-balancing factor, count 1 person 2 jobs 2 employed persons.

additionally, @ least first 8 months of president s term, inherits budget proposed , implemented predecessor (as overall economy may in decline or recovery). data in columns shown september (in italic) correlate better federal fiscal year starting each october, showing impact of given president , resulting federal budget on job count.

moreover, according united states constitution, united states congress responsible government spending , thus, regardless of presidential advocacy, bears constitutional responsibility such things spending , tax policy have enormous effects upon economy. furthermore, debatable how effect president realistically have on system large, diverse, , complex u.s. economy. nevertheless, nonfarm payrolls number 1 used in media , economists, largely because alternative (household survey numbers) thought drastically overestimate employment.

another factor consider population growth, provides opportunities creation of jobs, rendering these figures less impressive, or in case of subpar, insufficient.

the heritage foundation has pointed alan greenspan s general economic optimism (in 2004) support household survey numbers on payroll numbers. however, subsequent downturn, , greenspan s admission of having been wrong, may have discredited view.