During a discussion of Newt Gingrich’s “food stamp president” claim, MSNBC’s Hardball host Chris Matthews told guest Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) that the unemployment rate is lower today than when Obama took office.

Matthews: I think the unemployment rate, Congressman, is lower now than it was than what he inherited from President George W. Bush, unfortunately.

Wrong! The unemployment rate in January 2009 was 7.8%. Today it is 8.5%.

For those who argue that January isn’t a fair comparison since he was only in office for 11 days, the unemployment rate in February 2009 was 8.3% as it continued its climb to 10% in October.

The 8.5% rate today is actually the lowest it has been since February 2009.

Read more: http://www.aim.org/don-irvine-blog/chris-matthews-tells-az-congressman-that-unemployment-is-lower-than-when-obama-took-office/