President Barack Obama cited "real progress," while Republican challenger Mitt Romney called it more evidence of economic stagnation.

Four days before an extremely close presidential election, a stronger-than-expected October jobs report on Friday evoked a typically divided reaction from the candidates competing for every last vote.

The last government unemployment figures before Tuesday's election showed more of the incremental economic growth that Obama heralds as continued recovery and Romney labels insufficient.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added 171,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate rose to 7.9%, up from 7.8% in September after being above 8% since February 2009 -- the month after Obama took office...

...The White House noted the report showed growth for a 32nd straight month to further bolster recovery from the recession inherited by Obama...

...To Romney, the increase in the unemployment rate was "a sad reminder that the economy is at a virtual standstill."