Fed Shifts Focus to Jobs as Unemployment Stalls Above 8%

Joblessness is the blemish on Ben S. Bernanke’s report card.

Since the recession ended in June 2009, the Federal Reserve chairman has achieved inflation near his target of 2 percent, bolstered capital across the banking system and helped underpin confidence in the U.S. economy that’s contributed to record-low borrowing costs for the nation. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate has stalled above 8 percent for 41 consecutive months.