WASHINGTON – The jobs outlook in the U.S. brightened a bit Thursday just before President Barack Obama was to make his case for re-election to the American people.

Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government reported. And companies boosted hiring in August, according to a private survey.

A far more consequential report politically – the government’s unemployment and hiring figures for August – will come out today, just as the presidential race enters its stretch run. Jobs are the core issue in the race, and that report could sway some undecided voters.