I think this may have something to do with many unemployed donk staffers come the first of the year.
Unemployment Rate, Jan 2001 - 4.7%
Unemployment Rate, Oct 2006 - 4.1%
Then came the November 2006 elections. Democrats won control of the House and the Senate, and thus the economy.
Unemployment Rate, Jan 2008, Democrats controlling Congress for 1 year - 5.4%
Unemployment Rate, Jan 2009, Democrats controlling Congress for 2 years - 8.5%
Unemployment Rate, Jan 2010, Democrats controlling Congress for 3 years - 10.6%