Story highlights
- Several speakers credited Barack Obama with an improved jobs picture
- The 4.5 million figure is based on private-sector jobs added since 2010
- But the U.S. economy is still down 400,000 jobs over Obama's tenure
Anyone watching the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night heard the number 4.5 million several times.
"Despite incredible odds and united Republican opposition, our president took action, and now we've seen 4.5 million new jobs," San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, the party's keynote speaker, said.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who served as President Barack Obama's chief of staff, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who followed Obama's November rival Mitt Romney as governor of Massachusetts, both cited the same number.
It's a big-sounding number, given the still-sputtering job market. So we're giving it a close eyeballing.
The facts:
The number Castro cites is an accurate description of the growth of private-sector jobs since January 2010, when the long, steep slide in employment finally hit bottom. But while a total of 4.5 million jobs sounds great, it's not the whole picture.
Nonfarm private payrolls hit a post-recession low of 106.8 million that month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figure currently stands at 111.3 million as of July.
Watch full speech of Julian Castro 18:33
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Best of the DNC – The Obama family takes to the stage as the gathering draws to a close on Thursday, September 6, the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. See the best photos from the Republican National Convention.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. President Barack Obama kisses first lady Michelle Obama after giving his acceptance speech on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Barack Obama embraces his wife, Michelle, after giving his acceptance speech on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Barack Obama waves on stage on Thursday as he makes his acceptance speech.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. President Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party's nomination on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Barack Obama speaks on stage to accept the nomination for president on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama, with daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, smiles as Barack Obama delivers his acceptance speech on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Barack Obama delivers his acceptance speech on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama introduces her husband on Thursday. She gave a full speech on Tuesday night.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama sits with Jill Biden as Vice President Joe Biden speaks on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Attendees watch a video tribute for Barack Obama on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Barack Obama waves from the stage on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Crowds react to a speech at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Vice President Joe Biden gives his acceptance speech to run for a second term on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Actress Eva Longoria speaks at the DNC on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Biden walks onstage during the final day of the convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama sits with Dr. Jill Biden on Thursday as Joe Biden accepts the vice presidential nomination.
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Best of the DNC – Caroline Kennedy addresses delegates on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts waves onstage Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Obama campaign co-chair Eva Longoria waves to the audience on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Attendees hold signs that say "Thank You" for miltary veterans on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama attends the final day of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords stands on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia speaks to delegates on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Loretta Harper of Nevada cheers on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Singer Mary J. Blige walks on stage on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – DNC Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, left, talks with Democratic National Committee Chair and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Vice President Joe Biden waves as he stands with his wife Jill Biden and family after being nominated on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – An Uncle Sam impersonator makes his way across the floor at the Time Warner Cable Arena on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Actor Jon Hamm, right, attends the final day of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Gus Mansour holds up a poster of President Barack Obama on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Actress Scarlett Johansson addresses delegates on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Actress Kerry Washington speaks to delegates on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Musican Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters performs during the final day of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden gestures during his speech to nominate his father Joe Biden for the office of vice president on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Delegate Brian Fadie of Nevada watches the program on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm gestures during her speech on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Caroline Kennedy speaks to the delegates on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, right, recites the Pledge of Allegiance on stage with Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Delegates sit around a large cutout of President Obama's head during the final day of the convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – A woman salutes during the DNC on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts takes the stage on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Musician James Taylor performs at the convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Supporters pray during an invocation on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Singer Marc Anthony walks onto the stage to sing the national anthem on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Attendees sing and dance as musician James Taylor performs on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Two women run for cover from the pouring rain during the final day of the convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – People in the stands wait for the start of the third day of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – President Bill Clinton speaks on Wednesday, September 5.
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Best of the DNC – Former President Bill Clinton embraces President Barack Obama at the end of his speech Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – The crowd cheers as Bill Clinton makes his case Wednesday for the re-election of Barack Obama.
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Best of the DNC – A person holds a sign that says "Bin Laden Is Dead, GM Is Alive" on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Bill Clinton formally nominates President Barack Obama for a second term in his highly anticipated speech.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama receives a standing ovation Wednesday. Bill Clinton praised the president for having "the good sense to marry Michelle Obama."
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks on Thursday.
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Best of the DNC – Delegates wave union signs supporting Barack Obama on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts waves to the crowd Wednesday. A consumer advocate, she complained that people today "feel like the system is rigged against them."
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland speaks on day two of the DNC.
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Best of the DNC – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel claps while listening to Wednesday's speeches. He spoke Tuesday night.
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Best of the DNC – Cuban-American actress and talk show host Cristina Saralegui endorses President Barack Obama on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards walks off stage after her speech Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Delegates cheer during Wednesday's program.
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Best of the DNC – Audience members wave signs Wednesday in support of the American auto industry.
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Best of the DNC – House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Rep. Karen Bass of California speaks before delegates on Wednesday night.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speaks on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – A guard stands by as former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt speaks on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – A choir performs on stage during the DNC on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Two men in vests hold a pile of American flags on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – People pose during the official convention photography during Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – A tri-colored hat sporting the Democratic party's mascot sits on a chair on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Sikh supporters hold up a sign on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – A woman reacts as Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, speaks on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, speaks to delegates on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas leads the Pledge of Allegiance as the West Charlotte High School ROTC presents the colors on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Delegate Gloria Goodwin wears earrings depicting President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Ruby Gilliam of Ohio salutes the flag on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas waves after leading the Pledge of Allegiance on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – Priscilla Marquez and Evie Walls from Arizona pose in the Google photo booth on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – A police officer stands near golf carts outside the Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama wraps up day one of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday, September 4.
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Best of the DNC – A sea of signs welcomes the first lady onto the stage Tuesday at the Time Warner Cable Arena.
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Best of the DNC – Delegates listen to Michelle Obama's speech Tuesday. The first lady offered a personal perspective on why her husband should be re-elected.
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Best of the DNC – Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro and his brother, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, wave to the audience Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Julian Castro gives the keynote address Tuesday night. "Mitt Romney, quite simply, doesn't get it," he declared.
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Best of the DNC – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Lilly Ledbetter, whose fight for equal pay resulted in the Fair Pay Act, takes the stage on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, and President Barack Obama's half-sister, Dr. Maya Kassandra Soetoro-Ng, speak on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – People hold signs Tuesday that read "Forward" and "Not Back."
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Best of the DNC – Actor-producer Kal Penn speaks on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – People listen to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Rahm Emanuel, who served as President Barack Obama's first chief of staff, addresses the crowd Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius walks onstage Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland takes the podium on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Robert Rios from the Virgin Islands waves a state flag on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Stacey Lihn of Arizona speaks on Tuesday as her husband, Caleb, holds her crying daughter, Emmy, and other daughter, Zoe Madison.
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Best of the DNC – A detail of the prosthetic legs of Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran who is running for the U.S. House from Illinois, is shown at the podium on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – President of NARAL Pro-Choice America Nancy Keenan speaks on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Audience members wave American flags Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Maria Ciano, who grew up a conservative Republican, addresses the DNC crowd Tuesday
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Best of the DNC – Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy holds his child as he speaks to the media Tuesday. He is a son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. House candidate Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts takes the stage Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Joe Kennedy III speaks Tuesday during the Democratic National Convention.
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Best of the DNC – A video tribute to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy is displayed Tuesday in Charlotte.
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Best of the DNC – House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks onstage with other female members of Congress on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Pelosi and other female members of Congress applaud on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar sports a cowboy hat while taking the stage Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada speaks to an applauding crowd on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – DNC delegates cheer during Tuesday's program.
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Best of the DNC – Former President Jimmy Carter addresses the convention in a videotaped message.
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Best of the DNC – Former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine speaks to the convention.
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Best of the DNC – A man from the Texas delegation stands under a campaign sign.
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Best of the DNC – A baby sleeps during Tuesday's speeches.
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Best of the DNC – North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue welcomes the convention to her state.
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Best of the DNC – The Rev. Jesse Jackson attends the convention.
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Best of the DNC – Newark Mayor Cory Booker points to the crowd during his speech on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – A woman cheers during Tuesday's program.
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Best of the DNC – Security personnel looks out at the crowd as U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer speaks on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Hoyer gives a thumbs up.
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Best of the DNC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic National Committee chairperson, opens Tuesday's program.
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Best of the DNC – The third-grade class from W.R. O'Dell Elementary School in Concord, North Carolina, recites the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Best of the DNC – Dr. Lorrie Rickman Jones of Chicago cries as she watches Tuesday's speakers.
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Best of the DNC – Law enforcement officers prepare to face off with protesters during a march outside the Charlotte Convention Center on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – People in the Wisconsin delegation area sit in front of a digital image of the Lincoln Memorial hours before the start of the convention on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – Newark Mayor Cory Booker, left, laughs with stage manager David Cove during a walk-through on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – A worker checks the stage hours before the start of the convention on Tuesday.
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Best of the DNC – First lady Michelle Obama is interviewed before the start of the convention on Monday, September 3.
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Best of the DNC – Michelle Obama and actor and former Obama administration aide Kal Penn bump fists after a rehearsal for her speech on Monday.
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Best of the DNC – A man prays during a public prayer service at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Sunday, September 2, ahead of the convention.
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While that is indeed a gain of 4.5 million, it's only a net gain of 300,000 over the course of the Obama administration to date. The private jobs figure stood at 111 million in January 2009, the month Obama took office.
And total nonfarm payrolls, including government workers, are down from 133.6 million workers at the beginning of 2009 to 133.2 million in July 2012. There's been a net loss of nearly 1 million public-sector jobs since Obama took office, despite a surge in temporary hiring for the 2010 census.
Meanwhile, the jobs that have come back aren't the same ones that were lost.
According to a study released last week by the liberal-leaning National Employment Law Project, low-wage fields such as retail sales and food service are adding jobs nearly three times as fast as higher-paid occupations.
Conclusion:
The figure of 4.5 million jobs is accurate if you look at the most favorable period and category for the administration. But overall, there are still fewer people working now than when Obama took office at the height of the recession.
