Joblessness is the blemish on Ben S. Bernanke's report card.

Since the recession ended in June 2009, the Federal Reservechairman has achieved inflation near his target of 2 percent,bolstered capital across the banking system and helped underpinconfidence in the U.S. economy that's contributed to record-lowborrowing costs for the nation. Meanwhile, the unemployment ratehas stalled above 8 percent for 41 consecutive months.

The failure to bring joblessness closer to Fed officials'longer-run goal of 5.2 percent to 6 percent has prompted Bernankeand his lieutenants to emphasize the need for economic growth overprice stability, said John Silvia, chief economist at Wells FargoSecurities LLC. Bernanke added to his record monetary stimulus lastmonth and said more action will be needed without “sustainedimprovement” in the jobs outlook.