Jobs report gives a final lackluster snapshot prior to election − but overall, the economy under Biden has been a tale of 2 eras

For the past four years, President Joe Biden has been the man with his finger on the economic trigger. Win McNamee/Getty Images

The U.S. economy added just 12,000 jobs in October 2024, less than most economists expected and providing voters with a downcast bit of data as they head to the polls.

But the figures aren’t that surprising, given the impact of work stoppages at Boeing and the adverse affect of hurricanes Milton and Helene.