Obama hails 9th straight month of private hiring, but concedes tough days remains for millions

Obama stays on message on private sector hiring

BLADENSBURG, Md. — President Barack Obama is conceding that tough days carry on for millions of unemployed people, but he is heralding another month of modest job growth in the private sector.

A new government report shows private employers added 64,000 positions, the weakest showing since June. Obama struck an upbeat tone, though, saying the private sector has added jobs for nine straight months after a crippling recession.

He conceded that the good news was tempered by an overall net loss of 95,000 jobs last month, driven by a wave of government layoffs. Obama said state and federal governments need help to keep jobs such as teachers and firefighters.

The president spoke at Ernest Maier, a brick and masonry company located in suburban Maryland.