Pickup in Economy Is Helping Obama’s Bid for Re-election

President Obama’s re-election prospects are getting a boost from the plunging unemployment rate and the pickup in the economy and financial markets this year, economic and political analysts say.

Melody Barnes Leaves White House This Week

Melody Barnes is leaving as White House chief domestic policy adviser at a time when President Barack Obama’s administration is getting little notice for its work on the home front to fix the struggling economy.

Obama Tells Freddie Haynes, Martin Luther King III and Other Black Leaders to ‘Stay Unified’

President Obama told a group of African-American leaders the country has been through worse times, and urged the group to “stay unified.”

CNBC GOP Debate at 8 p.m. ET

The economy is supposed to be the focus of the 90-minute debate, which airs on CNBC on Nov. 9 at 8 pm ET. But allegations against Herman Cain are certain to loom large.

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Obama to Announce Actions on Housing and Student Loans that Will Not Need Approval by Congress

President Barack Obama this week will announce a series of actions to help the economy that will not require congressional approval, including an initiative to make it easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages, according to a White House official.

Lowe’s to Close 20 Stores, Cut 1,950 Jobs

Home-improvement retailer Lowe’s says it will close 20 underperforming stores in 15 states and cut 1,950 jobs in a move that it says will allow it to focus on more profitable locations.

September Jobs Report Due: Will Likely be Another Disappointment

The U.S. economy will likely show its fifth straight month of slight or no job creation when the government issues its September employment report Friday. Another weak month would underscore the sluggishness of the economy and the risk of another recession.