The unemployment rate rose from 9.8 to 10.2 percent in October, and nonfarm
payroll employment continued to decline (-190,000), the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported today. The largest job losses over the month were in con-
struction, manufacturing, and retail trade.

Household Survey Data

In October, the number of unemployed persons increased by 558,000 to 15.7
million. The unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage point to 10.2 percent,
the highest rate since April 1983. Since the start of the recession in
December 2007, the number of unemployed persons has risen by 8.2 million,
and the unemployment rate has grown by 5.3 percentage points. (See table A-1.)

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (10.7 per-
cent) and whites (9.5 percent) rose in October. The jobless rates for adult
women (8.1 percent), teenagers (27.6 percent), blacks (15.7 percent), and
Hispanics (13.1 percent) were little changed over the month. The unemployment
rate for Asians was 7.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted. (See tables A-1,
A-2, and A-3.)

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was
little changed over the month at 5.6 million. In October, 35.6 percent of
unemployed persons were jobless for 27 weeks or more. (See table A-9.)

The civilian labor force participation rate was little changed over the month
at 65.1 percent. The employment-population ratio continued to decline in
October, falling to 58.5 percent. (See table A-1.)

The number of persons working part time for economic reasons (sometimes refer-
red to as involuntary part-time workers) was little changed in October at 9.3
million. These individuals were working part time because their hours had been
cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job. (See table A-5.)

About 2.4 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force in October,
reflecting an increase of 736,000 from a year earlier. (The data are not sea-
sonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and
were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months.
They were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in
the 4 weeks preceding the survey. (See table A-13.)

Among the marginally attached, there were 808,000 discouraged workers in October,
up from 484,000 a year earlier. (The data are not seasonally adjusted.) Dis-
couraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe
no jobs are available for them. The other 1.6 million persons marginally attached
to the labor force in October had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding
the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities.

Establishment Survey Data

Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 190,000 in October. In the most re-
cent 3 months, job losses have averaged 188,000 per month, compared with losses
averaging 357,000 during the prior 3 months. In contrast, losses averaged 645,000
per month from November 2008 to April 2009. Since December 2007, payroll employment
has fallen by 7.3 million. (See table B-1.)

Construction employment decreased by 62,000 in October. Monthly job losses have
averaged 67,000 during the most recent 6 months, compared with an average decline
of 117,000 during the prior 6 months. October job losses were concentrated in
nonresidential specialty trade contractors (-30,000) and in heavy construction
(-14,000). Since December 2007, employment in construction has fallen by 1.6 mil-
lion.

Manufacturing continued to shed jobs (-61,000) in October, with losses in both
durable and nondurable goods production. Over the past 4 months, job losses in
manufacturing have averaged 51,000 per month, compared with an average monthly
loss of 161,000 from October 2008 through June 2009. Manufacturing employment has
fallen by 2.1 million since December 2007.

Retail trade lost 40,000 jobs in October. Employment declines were concentrated
in sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores (-16,000) and in department
stores (-11,000). Employment in transportation and warehousing decreased by 18,000
in October.

Health care employment continued to increase in October (29,000). Since the start
of the recession, health care has added 597,000 jobs.

Temporary help services has added 44,000 jobs since July, including 34,000 in
October. From January 2008 through July 2009, temporary help services had lost
an average of 44,000 jobs per month.

The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm
payrolls was unchanged at 33.0 hours in October. The manufacturing workweek rose
by 0.1 hour to 40.0 hours, and factory overtime increased by 0.2 hour over the
month. (See table B-2.)

In October, average hourly earnings of production and nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls rose by 5 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $18.72. Over the past
12 months, average hourly earnings have risen by 2.4 percent, while average weekly
earnings have risen by only 0.9 percent due to declines in the average workweek.
(See table B-3.)

The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for August was revised from -201,000
to -154,000, and the change for September was revised from -263,000 to -219,000.

_____________
The Employment Situation for November is scheduled to be released on Friday,
December 4, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. (EST).

Ten students from two Maryland middle schools held a high-stakes practice for the regional Science Bowl competition Thursday in Washington. There were no prizes on the line, just a moderator who promised to report the results of the competition to her husband - the president.

First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the practice competition in an auditorium at the Department of Energy, where longtime DoE employees made up the audience. The event was part of Obama's tour of federal agencies. The first lady was originally scheduled to visit the Department of Energy in February, but Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu, who introduced Obama, said the White House canceled her appearance at the last minute and sent a "substitute."

"The president did an admirable job of filling in," Chu said to laughter. "But today we have the real deal."

Chu thanked Obama for her visit to the department, which he said would be helpful in "elevating the social status of nerds everywhere."

During her long-awaited visit Thursday, Obama congratulated audience members on their long years of service to the department.

"The president and I are the new kids on the block here in Washington DC," she said. "And many of you have been doing this work for longer than I've been alive."

Obama praised staff members for their decades of devotion to the department, which is responsible for climate change research, nuclear security, and energy efficiency efforts. But she said that if the work of the Department of Energy is to continue, the nation will have to improve its education.

"We can't transform our energy future unless we transform our education system," Obama said. "Particularly when it comes to math and science."

To that end, Obama and Chu led seventh- and eigth-graders from the Science Bowl teams of Kenmoor Middle School and Takoma Park Middle School both of Maryland, in an abbreviated practice round of competition.

The first lady asked the teams questions and, if the contestants answered correctly, Chu asked a bonus question.

"I'm like Alex Trebek," Obama said. "Secretary Chu is like my Vanna White."

Most of the questions seemed to stump both the audience and the moderators, but the students handled them with ease. (Sample question: Divide and simply the following, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form: y divided by three divided by five over nine. Answer: 3/5y. The students got it right.)

However, a knowing murmur ran through the Department of Energy audience when a student incorrectly said that five percent of the nation's electricity comes from nuclear power. (The correct answer is 20 percent.)

The Science Bowl is a science and math competition for middle- and high-school students across the country. The Department of Energy runs the 19-year-old program, which consists of regional competitions attended by as many as 20,000 students from 1,800 schools. Regional winners are flown to Washington for the national competition, which takes place in April.

Thursday's competition was for fun, not advancement in the tournament, but if Obama keeps her word, tonight the president will be told that the seventh- and eighth-graders of Takoma Park Middle School won the only first-lady-moderated Science Bowl round in history.

At the end of the event, Obama elicited a collective "awww" from the audience when, flanked by Secret Service agents, she stepped off the stage to shake hands with the Department of Energy employees in the front row.

The first lady wore black pants, a black blouse and a black jacket accented with white trim and a glittering brooch.

The students from Takoma Park Middle School in Takoma Park, Maryland, were Daniel Amir, Alan Du, Avikar Periwal, Catherine Xue, and Sarah Wagner.
The students from Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, Maryland, were Selena Healey, Alex Yu, Vishnutheja Rachakonda, Ahmad Kamil and Kamyar Dastani.

Meredith Simons
The Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers

TRANSCRIPT

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the First Lady
For Immediate Release November 5, 2009
REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY
AT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EVENT

U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, D.C.

2:15 P.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA: Well, hi everybody.

AUDIENCE: Hi!

MRS. OBAMA: You all please sit down. Thank you so much. I am thrilled to be here. It's a pleasure to be here with all of you at the Department of Energy. Now, I have to say -- I told the Secretary this -- the overflow crowd is always a lot more pumped up than the regular crowd. (Laughter.) I think it's because you're in this formal setting and you think you have to behave yourselves. But we can get loud in here. We can be fired up. (Cheers and applause.) There we go!

Let me begin by thanking Secretary Chu for that warm introduction. As you know, Secretary Chu isn't just a brilliant scientist, he's also an inspired leader, and he's bringing new ideas and perspectives to Washington, challenging all of you, all of us, to look at your own work, at our own work, in a whole new way. And we are so incredibly grateful for his leadership. My husband loves his Cabinet. He was extremely excited that he had a real nerd on his team. (Laughter.) He talked about it for weeks on end. So we are delighted to have you on the team, and we're grateful for the work that you do.

I also want to take a moment to thank all of you and to honor all of you. This is one of the reasons why I do these visits. I've had the privilege since coming to Washington to visit many of the agencies. My goal is to get to all of them. As you heard, I was supposed to be here earlier, but this other guy in my life bumped me out of the scene. (Laughter.) It's okay. I try not to take it personally.

But these visits are helpful to me, they're helpful to the administration, because I've said this before: The President and I, we're the new kids on the block here in Washington, D.C. And many of you have been doing this work for longer than I've been alive.

And several of our long-term employees here at the Department of Energy are right in the front row, and I want us to take some time to give them a round of applause for their decades of service. (Applause.) And I have to say I'm always amazed when I see folks and I hear how long they've been working, because they look too good to be -- have been here -- (laughter) -- some people for 30, 40, 50 years. They must have started when they were 10. (Laughter.)

But we are grateful to you, and you deserve this recognition as well as everyone who's working hard in all of the federal agencies. You don't often get the thanks that you deserve. Sometimes you get a lot of the blame and none of the credit for the progress that has gone on in this country for years, and, you know, this is our small way of making sure that you know that this administration appreciates the work that you do.

But whether it's doing groundbreaking scientific research; or ensuring our nuclear security; making our homes, our offices, our cars, appliances more efficient; or fighting to turn the tide on climate change, what you're doing here couldn't be more urgent. Your work is critical for our economy and our national security and preserving our environment for our kids and our grandkids. That's the work that you do.

And it's not easy. Everyone knows it's not easy. And I know that most of what you're working on right now, as hard as you're working, probably won't even be finished this year, or maybe not even this administration, or even during the course of your careers here at the Department. You may not see the final outcome of the work that you're doing.

So in the coming decades, you all will be passing the torch to the next generation. Truly, you're going to be handing over what you've begun to a lot of young people who are right now just beginning to develop -- those future scientists and public servants. And it truly will be up to that next generation, it's going to be up to them, our children, our grandchildren, the young people that we mentor, it's going to be up to them to carry all of this wonderful work forward.

And it's up to us to ensure that they're prepared to do that. That's our job. We have to get them ready and developed and mature and focused, making sure that they have the knowledge and the skills they need to finish what all of you have started.

We all know that we can't transform our energy future unless we transform our education system -- that, we know -- unless we ensure that every child in America gets a good education, particularly when it comes to math and science. Particularly in the areas of math and science.

That's why we're challenging states to raise their standards, to modernize science labs, to upgrade their curricular -- their curricula, and to recruit and train qualified teachers who will make these subjects more alive, more interesting, more engaging for our students.

That's why we're committed to expanding advanced courses and creating additional opportunities more importantly for underrepresented groups -- and that also means women and girls. We want them to study and succeed in science, math, engineering and technology like never before. We want those numbers up.

So that's why we're so pleased by what folks here at the Department of Energy are doing to get young people excited about science. That's one of the other reasons why I'm here. We've been talking in my staff about this visit for a while because it's unique in what we're doing and what you all are doing. The National Science Bowl you host every year -- and I think there are a lot of people out here who don't know that the Department of Energy has really been supporting this type of initiative for so long -- the National Science Bowl that you host, it draws 20,000 students from 1,800 schools. That is amazing. (Applause.) That's truly amazing.

And the young people who participate in this competition, they put in late nights and long hours, they're pushing themselves and challenging each other to get ready and to get focused on the topic. And they don't just learn biology, chemistry, physics and math in the process. You all know that what they're also learning is discipline and teamwork and problem-solving and communication skills.

The middle school students even design, build and race their own hydrogen-powered cars. It's science at its best, truly. It's hands-on and it's very collaborative in a way that really makes young people excited. I know my kids -- there's nothing like a little competition to get them going. (Laughter.) It fuels kids' imaginations and encourages the innovative thinking that we'll need to meet our nation's challenges in the years to come.

And none of this would be possible without the hard work of folks like all of you who devote so many volunteer hours to making this event happen. All of you all have served as coaches, as timekeepers, as judges, and scorekeepers.

It's my understanding that more than a hundred employees here at the Department of Energy help run the national competition in Washington, and more than 6,000 volunteers contribute their time to run regional competitions across America.

And this includes one individual in particular that I want to just acknowledge who has run the entire operation every year for the past 19 years, and who's waited to retire, I understand -- she put off retiring until she can make it an even 20 years. She's grown this program from just a handful of schools to an institution that's inspired more than 150,000 students since it began in 1991.

So I want us to take a moment to recognize Sue Ellen Walbridge for her terrific work. Sue Ellen. (Applause.) Where is she? There she is, way in the back. (Applause.) See, that's what happens to people who run stuff. They're way in the back. (Laughter.) You can't even seem them. I see her. She's making her way up. All right, she's just waving from the back. (Laughter.) Thanks, Sue Ellen. Today we're going to witness for ourselves -- here she comes. Here comes -- there you -- come on, Sue Ellen. (Applause.) There she is. (Applause.)

Look, I think we all know this is something pretty special -- to start from something so small and grow it into something so big and so meaningful. We are grateful to you for your dedication, for your hard work, for your passion. You are touching the lives of thousands and thousands of young people, and that should give you some level of peace and satisfaction and pride. We are all so very proud of you. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

So today we're going to witness for ourselves the excellent work Sue Ellen and many of you are doing to run this competition. Isn't it exciting? (Laughter.) We're joined today by students from Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, Maryland and Longfellow* Middle School -- yes, yes! -- (applause) -- and Longfellow* Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia -- (applause) -- all right, there we go. They're going to give us a little preview of the big day next spring. That's when the competition actually happens, in the spring. So we're the dress rehearsal.

We're going to hold a mini Science Bowl right here. We're all set up. I'm like Alex Trebek -- (laughter) -- and Secretary Chu is like my Vanna White. (Laughter and applause.) Now, this competition won't -- (laughter) -- this competition won't count because it's sort of just like a practice round. But I'll be reporting the results back to the President of the United States, so no pressure, young people. (Laughter.) None at all.

So what are we going to do now? I think Secretary Chu is going to come back up, and then we're going to get this competition started. (Applause).

END 2:27 P.M. EST

*Takoma

"As some of you might have heard, there has been a tragic shooting at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. We don't yet know all the details at this moment; we will share them as we get them. What we do know is that a number of American soldiers have been killed, and even more have been wounded in a horrific outburst of violence.

"My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and with the families of the fallen, and with those who live and serve at Fort Hood. These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis. It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas. It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Mark Kirk, who casts himself as a moderate, on Monday dodged questions about whether he wanted help from conservative former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in his race for Senate -- only to have the truth surface Wednesday. He is indeed soliciting her support -- when she hits Chicago later this month to appear on the "Oprah Winfrey Show."

The Washington Post was the first to obtain a memo Kirk sent to Palin through an intermediary, GOP activist Fred Malek. Noting that Palin will be in Chicago for Winfrey's show -- Palin will be on a book tour -- Kirk's memo asserts "the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk's bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?"

Kirk requested something "quick and decisive" from Palin about the race, suggesting she say: "Voters in Illinois have a key opportunity to take Barack Obama's Senate seat. Congressman Kirk is the lead candidate to do that."

Sun-Times political writer Abdon Pallasch, at Kirk's Monday news conference in Chicago, said Kirk refused to answer when asked if he wanted Palin -- controversial but popular among the party's right -- to do an event for him.

Kirk's campaign manager, Eric Elk, said in a statement that Kirk sent Palin a briefing memo "including talking points" on Kirk and the race and "only requested supportive comments."

That Kirk is courting Palin takes on more significance, however, after Tuesday's balloting for an open House seat in New York yielded a Democratic win after the moderate Republican was driven out of the race by Palin and others who supported the third party conservative candidate.

Conservatives may be shopping for other moderates to knock off. But the reality in Illinois is very different from New York or other places. Though the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has been trying to pump Kirk's seven primary rivals as real threats, they are barely known and hardly register in polls.

As of Sept. 30, Kirk had $2.3 million on hand; five rivals raised less than $2,000. There are just better fights for conservatives to pick.

Kirk does not need to chase Palin to inoculate himself against a challenge from the right; her embrace could well be an issue in the general election.

The three front-running Illinois Senate Democratic hopefuls -- Cheryle Jackson, David Hoffman and Alexi Giannoulias -- pounced on Kirk's soliciting Palin in their statements. They say it proves that Kirk -- whose suburban North Shore 10th District is heavily Democratic -- is lurching to and pandering to the right for the Republican primary.

Kirk has been running a cautious Senate race and discouraging routine media coverage. The campaign does not even issue a schedule of Kirk election events. Kirk was even trying to control what the outspoken Palin would say. Now that's going rogue.

WASHINGTON--Gov. Quinn raised campaign cash, huddled with members of the Illinois congressional delegation, pitched a plan to help military families and visited President Obama and Chicago pals at the White House on Wednesday.

Quinn, a guest at a delegation lunch, discussed high speed rail and other projects, including a plan to help needy military personnel and their families through a fund bankrolled though a donation made while paying income taxes.

Quinn, a longtime friend of senior White House advisor David Axelrod, met with him at the White House and after talking about stimulus funding Axelrod walked him into the Oval Office to see Obama. Quinn said he ran into Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett.

Quinn's fund-raiser was hosted by former Illinois Democratic Party Chair Gary LaPaille, now a Washington lobbyist.

By Linda Feldmann
Christian Science Monitor

FLOTUS Pool report #1

11/4/09

Michelle Obama speaks at Coming Up Taller Awards, then hosts Classical Music Student Workshop Concert

The White House had the feel of a music conservatory this afternoon, as 120 high school and middle school students from around the country - classical musicians all - attended master classes with some of the top names in the business.

Your pooler got to dip into each class: First, Grammy-award winning violinist (and heart-throb) Joshua Bell, in jeans and shirt-tails, met with some 30 teenage violinists in the Map Room.

"Hey, everybody. Whaddaya think, being at the White House?"

"Woo-hoo!" the students replied.

Bell lamented that he now seems to be most famous for a Washington Post experiment he took part in almost three years ago, in which he played the violin on the street - to see if anyone would notice that he was a world-class violinist. (A few people did.)

"I guess any publicity is good publicity," he said. "I made $38 in about 40 minutes. The good news is that I didn't have to give my manager 20 percent."

Next, to the Diplomatic Room, for 27-year-old cellist Alisa Weilerstein - called by New York magazine, "arguably, Yo-Yo Ma's heiress apparent -- and a roomful of cellists. The group played the prelude to one of the Bachianas Brasilieras, by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Then it was off to the Blue Room, for virtuoso classical guitarist Sharon Isbin and a roomful of guitarists. One young player performed a piece, and she then coached him on body position and other techniques. "Do you know the formula for a more sweet, dolce sound?" she asked. It's all about where you strum: "Divide the string in half."

Finally, we went to the East Room, where the lively and accomplished pianist Awadagin Pratt was performing the Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor by Bach (arranged by Awadagin Pratt) for a roomful of piano students.

A moment of disclosure: Your pooler ran into an old friend, Martin Goldsmith, a classical music announcer for Sirius/XM Radio, who was there for the network's recording of the event. He tipped me off to what the performers were playing.

Then it was off to the State Dining Room, where FLOTUS em-ceed the awarding of the annual Coming Up Taller Awards, which recognize outstanding after-school and out-of-school programs in the arts and humanities. The awards, an initiative of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, were started in 1998. Many of the programs reach at-risk youth, who then often end up doing better in school and going to college.

Michelle Obama looked fabulous in a light gray flecked skirt suit, with a darker gray blouse, large brooch, and silver belt. Hair was in an up-do.

Fifteen groups from the US and four from abroad (Mexico, China, and Egypt) won awards. The ambassadors of those three countries attended. Each program receives a $10,000 prize.

FLOTUS spoke of "the power of the arts to change young people's lives" and as each award was handed out, she posed with representatives from the groups - dispensing many hugs, especially to the kids. (Transcript to come.)

After it was over, FLOTUS declared. "Well, let's do that again!"

Then, it was back to the East Room for the Classical Music Student Workshop Concert. FLOTUS spoke, and referred to the assembled students as the "classical music stars of tomorrow."

"This is what the White House is all about - it's the people's house," she said. "We like to start new traditions." (Check transcript.)

FLOTUS also noted the hard work and dedication it takes to master a musical instrument. To the students, she said: "Many of you are perfectionists, and it takes a lot of energy and time and it's not always easy."

Each of the world-class musicians performed, as did a few of the students. Perhaps most eye-popping was 8-year-old prodigy Sujari Britt of New York, who performed on the cello alongside Alisa Weilerstein. FLOTUS commented that Sujari is the same age as Sasha - and from a distance, she looked like Sasha Obama.

Later, I asked Sujari how much she practices each day, and she said 3 or 4 hours. Her mother said, "actually, more than that." Because she is home-schooled, she can easily pick up her cello throughout the day and play. Sujari also mentioned the string trio she plays in with sister and brother, which, she says, practices every other day. Sujari studies at the Manhattan School of Music.

WH social secretary Desiree Rogers sat next to FLOTUS during the concert. Also sighted in the East Room (and in the master classes) was actor-turned-administration-official Kal Penn, who helped pull today's music program together.

The program, which culminates in a concert this evening, was the fourth in a series started by Michelle Obama called The White House Music Series. Previous musical forms featured were jazz, country, and Latino.

The students' travel to Washington was funded by outside organizations (not the White House), such as the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

Linda Feldmann
CS Monitor

Cillizza writes in his column, "The Fix" about the Kirk memo, where Kirk is concerned whether Palin will endorse a rival in the February Illinois GOP primary. Palin's endorsement of a third party conservative in a New York race for a vacant House seat--drove the moderate from the contest and Tuesday resulted in the election of a Democrat.

Cillizza: "After noting that Palin will be in Chicago later this month to appear on "Oprah", Kirk writes that "the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk's bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?"

"Kirk goes on to write that he is hoping for something "quick and decisive" from Palin about the race, perhaps to the effect of: "Voters in Illinois have a key opportunity to take Barack Obama's Senate seat. Congressman Kirk is the lead candidate to do that."

"Malek confirmed the authenticity of the memo in an e-mail exchange with the Fix."