Adelle: The government's program to reduce the unemployment rate in the province of Carthena by encouraging job creation has failed, since the rate there has not changed appreciably since the program began a year ago.

Fran: But the unemployment rate in Carthena had been rising for three years before the program began, so the program is helping.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly counters Fran's objection to Adelle's argument?

(A) The government is advised by expert economists, some of whom specialize in employment issues.
(B) The unemployment rate in the province of Carthena has historically been higher than that of the country as a whole.
(C) The current government was elected by a wide margin, because of its promises to reduce the unemployment rate in Carthena.
(D) Around the time the government program began, large numbers of unemployed Carthena residents began leaving the province to look for work elsewhere.
(E) The unemployment rate in Carthena had been relatively stable until shortly before the current government took office.