(RALEIGH) -- The new unemployment numbers are out, and they're a mixed bag. The jobless rate edged up slightly to 7.9%, despite the addition of 170-thousand jobs.

NC State economist Dr. Mike Walden says voters will decide who is best suited to improve the economy going forward.

"The question they have of course, in their minds, is especially with those two presidential candidates, is which candidate would be best suited to make that improvement continue and perhaps speed it up."

Walden says there's something in the report for both campaigns, with President Obama pointing to improvement in job creation and Mitt Romney claiming stagnation in the unemployment rate.