Jobs Numbers Higher Than Expected

Jobs numbers will be a huge factor come election day. Between now and then three more date of birth reports. Tonight it's no surprise president obama and mitt romney both jumps on this number but with... See More

Jobs numbers will be a huge factor come election day. Between now and then three more date of birth reports. Tonight it's no surprise president obama and mitt romney both jumps on this number but with different takes. Who makes the stronger argument? Reporter: Mitt romney wasted no time in pouncing on the latest jobs report. These are real people, really suffering hard times. 23 million americans are out of work or stopped looking for work. Reporter: While romney seized on the uj employment rate going up to 8.3%, the president focused on the silver lining, some better-than-expected news in the very same jobs report. This morning we learned that our businesses created 172,000 new jobs in the month of Reporter: True. But still not enough jobs. In fact, for more than 42 straight months, the unemployment rate has been higher than 8%. No president has won re-election with an unemployment rate that high since the great depression. Campaigning in nevada, romney also had to deal with a different set of numbers, the amount he pays in taxes. I have paid taxes every year, and a lot of taxes. A lot of taxes. Reporter: He was responding to an outrageous and apparently unfound the allegation from harry reid, the top democrat in the senate. The word is out, he hasn't paid any taxes for 10 years. Reporter: Reid offered not one shred of evidence, drawing ridicule from late night comedian jon stewart. The allegation has gotten under romney's skin. Harry reid really has to put up or shut up. Harry, who are your sources? Reporter: But reid is really just trying to goad romney into releasing more tax returns. He's only released last year's return and an estimate of this year's, showing he paid a tax rate of about 13.9%. Last week david muir asked about that. Was there ever any year when you paid lower than a 13.9% tax rate? I haven't calculated that. I'm happy to go back and look. Romney made it clear once again today, he will release this year's tax return when it is complete and no more. He wants to talk about jobs, not his taxes. Meantime a major development when it comes to a widely use