Barbara Boxer has spent a lot of time re-writing her record of accomplishment (or lack thereof) on economic growth and job creation over the last several days. But just when you thought she could write no more, Boxer decided to bring Vice President Biden to town in the middle of his “Recovery Summer” tour. Just like Boxer earlier this week, Biden has tried desperately to re-write the Democrats’ dismal record on jobs by claiming that the stimulus “is working.”
Unfortunately for Boxer and Biden, the facts about the unemployment rate and the jobs lost here in California trump their fiction about the economic stimulus plan’s effectiveness. They promised the plan would result in 400,000 jobs for Californians; instead, 400,000 MORE Californians are unemployed today than when the stimulus passed in February 2009 – and it doesn’t look like things will get any better anytime soon.
According To The Associated Press Index Of Economic Stress, 13 Of The 20 Most Stressed U.S. Counties Are In California. “Each month, the Associated Press generates a county-by-county index of economic stress for the entire nation and 13 of the 20 most stressed U.S. counties are in California, topped by poverty-wracked Imperial County in the state's southeastern corner.” (Dan Walters, “California Counties Top Economic Stress List,” Sacramento Bee’s “Capitol Alert” Blog, blogs.sacbee.com, 7/7/10)
National Jobs Numbers Reflect “Renewed Gloom Among The Ranks Of The Unemployed.” “But the decline wasn't particularly good news because it reflected 652,000 people dropping out of the labor force. Some of this was due to the census workers, as many are retirees and are not expected to look for more work. But the sizable drop also reflected some renewed gloom among the ranks of the unemployed, economists said.” (Gregg Robb, “Modest private sector hiring in June,” MarketWatch, 7/2/10)
Then again, with the Field Poll numbers out this morning showing Boxer with a 52 percent disapproval rating and in a statistical dead heat with her opponent, it looks like Boxer’s efforts to re-write history aren’t very convincing. Perhaps that’s why the Obama administration is so concerned about her political future and has dispatched Biden on another rescue mission to California to raise money for her. But we’re certain that no check written tonight will be big enough to cover up Barbara Boxer’s dismal record.