When is bad news actually good news? When a democrat is in charge.

"Rise in Washington area unemployment seen as good sign for economy's recovery" -- Washington Post headline, March 11, 2010.

Unemployment rates rose in the District, Maryland and Virginia in January, a shift that economists said could be a positive sign for the economy because it suggests that discouraged job-seekers are feeling more optimistic about their prospects and have resumed looking for work.

The District's jobless rate increased to 12 percent in January from 11.9 percent the previous month, according to data released Wednesday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Maybe if we're lucky, Washington D.C. unemployment will climb even higher this November.