How likely is it that you will be laid off or lose your job in the next six months?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Unemployment is hitting home. Big time.
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say they know someone who has either been laid off or lost their job in the last six months, according to a new Gallup Poll. And that's the highest in Gallup's history of asking this question.
Numbers like these could have huge political implications for President Obama come Election Day in November.
More bad news. Only 21% of those surveyed say it's a "good time to find a quality job," while 77% say it's a bad time.
This is actually an improvement from last year, when 90% of Americans said it was a bad time to find a job.
This is interesting. Even though most Americans know someone who has lost a job, only 15% say it is "very or fairly likely" that they personally will lose their job or get laid off in the next year.
The national unemployment rate is at 8.2%.
Hiring slowed dramatically in March, with employers adding only 120,000 jobs, down from 240,000 jobs in February.
While the unemployment rate declined a little last month, it's because people dropped out of the labor force.
Economists surveyed by CNN Money predict the unemployment rate will slip to 8% by the end of the year.
But 8% unemployment could still present a huge challenge for President Obama. Eight percent is a far cry from the 4.4% unemployment rate before the recession.
President Obama might want to take note. Since 1948, only one incumbent president has won re-election with unemployment at more than 7%. That was Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Here’s my question to you: How likely is it that you will be laid off or lose your job in the next six months?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Should states have more to say about their own border security?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The immigration wars will heat up once again tomorrow.
When the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the constitutionality of Arizona's controversial law.
It requires Arizona officials to check the immigration status of anyone stopped or arrested who they suspect is an illegal alien. But the Obama Administration sued to prevent it from going into effect.
Supporters say it's necessary because of the federal government's failure to secure the nation's borders. States like Arizona have had to deal with serious security issues along with the steep cost of education and health care for illegal aliens.
Critics say the law encourages racial profiling and forces state law enforcement to interfere with federal immigration policy.
The Supreme Court ruling is expected in June, which means like health care, it's sure to be a political hot potato headed into the election.
If the Supreme Court upholds the law, Senate Democrats are reportedly planning to force a vote on legislation that would invalidate Arizona's law.
Of course this has little chance of passing a divided Congress, but it's a way for Democrats to appeal to Hispanic voters before November.
Senate Democrats might be interested to learn most Americans agree with Arizona's approach. A new Quinnipiac Poll shows 68% approve of the Arizona law. Only 27% don't. And 62% say the Supreme Court should uphold the law.
Here’s my question to you: Should states have more to say about their own border security?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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