WASHINGTON (MCT) — Deep uncertainty about the presidential election and Europe’s debt crisis are driving the recent sharp slowdown in job growth that was underscored by Friday’s disappointing unemployment report, economists said.

“It’s not surprising that companies for the past couple of months have been on the sidelines. They’re very apprehensive about ramping up hiring for the simple reason that the economic outlook is unclear,” said Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist for the Economic Outlook Group.