Continuing unemployment claims jumped to 1.97 million in late July, according to a Labor Department report, highlighting a weakening labor market.

In this case, Back to Basics' numbers stand up: The state's unemployment rate under Perry has hit a 22-year high. But the suggestion that the governor is to blame does not.

The unemployment rate for Black Americans hit 7.2% in July, up from 6.3% a year ago and 6.8% the month before, according to the most recent jobs report from the Labor Department.