As I write this, Rev. Al Sharpton is discussing the Reuters piece below on his MSNBC show “Politics Nation”. The numbers can change, of course, but it’s still a plus for President Obama.

Even the adjusted 7.7% number is an improvement and great news. Via Gallup:

U.S. unemployment, as measured by Gallup without seasonal adjustment, is 7.3% in mid-October, down considerably from 7.9% at the end of September and at a new low since Gallup began collecting employment data in January 2010. Gallup’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 7.7%, also down from September. October’s adjusted mid-month measure is also more than a percentage point lower than October 2011.

And here’s the report from Reuters:

(Reuters) – Groundbreaking on new homes surged in September to its fastest pace in more than four years, a sign the housing sector’s budding recovery is gaining traction and supporting the wider economic recovery.

Housing starts increased 15 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 872,000 units, beating even the most optimistic forecasts on Wall Street, Commerce Department data showed on Wednesday.

Of course, Republicans will say that Obama skewed the numbers.

H/t: @BenOSU66