economists were expecting. now, the unemployment rate dropped to 5.2%. president biden said the delta variant and unvaccinated americans hurt the economy. >> today's report shows that the steps we've taken passing the rescue plan and vaccinating 175 million people make our economy capable of growing and adding jobs even in the face of this continuing delta surge. the strength in our economy very different from the ways things were last winter. there's no question the delta variant is why today's jobs report isn't stronger. i know people were looking and i was hoping for a higher number. >> august was a tough month for president biden with the surge in covid cases, the climate catastrophes, and that chaotic exit from afghanistan. a new poll shows president biden's job approval numbers at 44%. that's down six points from late june. joining us now is cnn global economics analyst ronna fa rue