This summer, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted, “The warning signs for another recession are flashing,” and Joe Biden described the economy as “teetering on a recession.” But in the time since, the Democrats hoping to challenge and defeat President Trump in 2020 have been forced to mute their talking points about the economy.

Friday’s November jobs numbers offered another example of why they cannot discuss the issue with any credibility — and also why their challenge to Trump is an uphill climb.