ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Oct 8 (AFP) - Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry called Friday's US employment figures "disappointing," saying it assures President George W. Bush's administration will be the first in decades with a net loss of jobs.
"Today, we received another disappointing jobs report for America's workers," Kerry said in a statement after the government report US employers hired 96,000 extra workers in September, far fewer than expected, and below the pace many economists say is needed to keep up with population growth.
"The verdict is in: With 1.6 million private sector jobs lost during his term, President Bush will be the first President in 72 years to face the electorate with an economy that has lost jobs under his watch."
Kerry was to meet Bush later Friday for a debate, able to accuse the US leader of presiding over the shedding of jobs during his term.
After Bush took office, the United States lost 2.6 million jobs up to August 2003. Since then, it has gained 1.8 million.
"Indeed, job creation is now seven million jobs behind where the administration projected in February 2002 our economy would now be if we followed the president's economic plan," Kerry said.
"Even over this last year, our economy has failed to create even enough jobs to cover new workers coming into the job market, not to speak of the millions who are unemployed, working in part-time or temporary jobs or who have given up and dropped out."