Democrat Barack Obama is trying to turn bad news about new job losses against presidential rival John McCain.

The government's jobs report released Friday showed employers cut 159,000 jobs last month, the most in more than five years and the ninth straight month of jobs loss.

Obama has told an audience in Abington, Pa., that the policies McCain and running mate Sarah Palin are promoting "are killing jobs in America every single day."

He criticized McCain for recently saying the economy is fundamentally strong and has made great progress under President Bush. He encouraged voters to change the direction from Republican leadership in the White House that he said hasn't worked.