FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Unemployment could be headed back up to 9% again - not what President Obama wants to hear as he faces re-election.
Gallup reports that the unemployment rate in mid-February stood at 9% - up from 8.3% in mid-January.
Gallup's monthly report serves as a preliminary estimate of what the U.S. government will report next week.
The report also found 10% of U.S. employees are working part-time, but want full-time work.
And they put underemployment at 19% - up significantly from just a month ago.
While the Obama administration was quick to trumpet a lower unemployment rate of 8.3% in January, others were already warning about a gloomy jobless picture.
The congressional budget office predicted last fall that unemployment would remain close to 9% until the end of 2012, and now they say unemployment will stay above 8% well into 2014.
Meanwhile there are other signs that the economy is not out of the woods by a long shot.
Gas prices are already at their highest levels ever for this time of year - and they're headed higher. In Florida, some drivers are already paying almost $6 a gallon.
Government job cuts could place a further damper on the economy with the government being the largest employer in the country.
Lastly, while manufacturing revs up and stocks rally, just remember this:
It only takes one shock to set the economy back. Last year we had lots - from the Arab spring revolutions to Japan's earthquake and Europe's debt crisis.
Can you say Iran?
Here’s my question to you: Can President Obama win re-election if unemployment goes back up to 9%?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Becky in Las Vegas:
Sure he can win, Jack. As long he's running against a Republican.
David:
Not a chance.
Leta:
Only an Iranian nuclear threat can stop President Obama from being re-elected.
Julia in Fayetteville, North Carolina:
President Obama will be re-elected by the Republicans. The president is still trying to correct the mess they made prior to his first day in the White House.
Rick in Detroit:
It is possible that President Obama could survive 9% unemployment, but very unlikely. It would probably take a major blunder by the GOP opponent for Obama to win with the economy slumping again. The economy is what put the president into the White House, and the economy also led to the 2010 midterm slaughter of the Democratic Party.
David in Las Vegas:
Jack, If unemployment goes up… If Europe's financial world collapses… If gas is $5/gallon… If,If If. Why would he want to be re-elected?
Merrill:
In a normal election year, I would say no. But with the current field of Republicans, he may just carry all 50 states. I'm beginning to wonder if the GOP is trying to throw the election.