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Economists on McCain
The Wall Street Journal's Real Time Economics blog reports today on economists who responded to the question: "Which of the three remaining presidential candidates offers the most responsible fiscal policy proposals in your view?"
The question was part of the Journal's latest economic forecasting survey. About half of the survey participants elected not to answer with a candidate preference. Of those who answered, 75% selected John McCain. The depressing reasoning? "His [policies] are the least horrible," according to James F. Smith of Western Carolina University.
Senator McCain has had mixed results on the economy throughout his campaign. He has long been haunted by his statement to the Boston Globe that "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should." The DNC tried to capitalize on a perceived weakness with an ad that was recently dismissed by FactCheck.org as "factually untrue", determining that, with regard to jobs, "McCain is correct and the ad is wrong."
Within his own party, he suffered for his vote against the Bush tax cuts. Senator McCain now says that, since the tax cuts are already in place, they should remain in place. This stance is seen by Democrats as further evidence of weakness on the economy, although it has strengthened his fiscal credentials among conservatives.
Senator McCain has long been regarded as a spending hawk, and has a particular reputation as opposing pork. He also has a long history of favoring tax cuts and opposing tax increases. That reputation can have mixed results when it comes to voters, and tends to muddy his reputation on the economy at large. As the survey shows, it is no guarantee that he'll be viewed as fiscally strong.
The Wall Street Journal survey showed Senator Clinton in last place, with only one vote versus Senator Obama's six and McCain's twenty-one.
Although economists seem unenthused about our candidates, and though the economy is consistently rated among the top issues or as the top issue in this election, a recent AP Poll indicates that the relative importance of the economy issue to a voter does not seem to have a bearing on their preferred candidate. In fact, among those for whom the economy is the number one issue, the AP Poll showed an increase in their willingness to vote for John McCain over their preference for a Republican candidate in a November poll. Considering that the polled economists for the Wall Street Journal widely rejected the gas tax holiday proposed by Senators McCain and Clinton and yet still broke largely for McCain, the AP poll result seems to bear out.
It's hard to say how economy voters will look at the candidates this fall. If the Wall Street Journal's survey of economists is any indicator, it seems many will find Senator McCain to be the least horrible after all.
H/T to Redstate.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 3)Davidg4:28PMMay 9th 2008
David S.
That's what we say every 4 years, but this time it's really the evil we don't know (Obama). I call him the evil we don't even know we don't know...that's how little we know.
Mary O\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\4:32PMMay 9th 2008
Start the smears on McCain like you did Hillary. It's not going to work, good ole' boys. Say states and Puerto Rico left to vote, thank you for now recognizing Hillary for her strengths, not her gender. Remember, it is not too late, despite what the pundits, etc. are saying. Let's save America the land that we love not, necessarily the Democratic Party. If Hillary doesn't get the nomination please either encourage her to start a new party or, if she must remain loyal to the Democrat Party that has thumped her and Bill, write-in her name on the ballot. She may very well win if we all do just do that. Also, as soon as I vote in the KY primary on May 20th, I'm going to go directly and change from a life-long Democrat (55) to Independent. I have had it with our Party. Rise, Hillary, Rise and stay in to the end because Obama will be exposed for the real “empty and dangerous suit” he is. Keep the faith Hillary supporters. We can still do this and save America the land we love, not the Democratic Party.
Que sera sera4:43PMMay 9th 2008
I hope people go to this RNC site and ask hard questions of Mr. Obama you can send in videos too.
http://net.gop.com/canweask/Default.aspx
Katherine5:49PMMay 9th 2008
Que sera sera:
Yes, I will send a LOT of questions.
Keep spreading the word.
fresh news from clinton aides5:53PMMay 9th 2008
fresh news from clinton's aids:
todays news paper carries an article called, exit strategy in works for clinton. her circle of advisors and donors are discussing how to make a dignified exit. saying outwardly she operated thursday as if the disappointing results from indiana and north carolina never happened and made a few stops in west virgina and south dakota while bill held a conferance call with her fundraisers before dawn, mark j. penn, her advisor, crafted a memo outlining the exit strategy accepting the reality that the democratic nomination is out of reach. one aid said there is a profound sadness among the staff but noone sees that there is a clear path to victory here. hillary suggested she will at least stay until thursday's primary. even her trusted aides say she can not wrest the nomination from obama.
now you have heard it from the clinton camp verbatum.
Katherine6:25PMMay 9th 2008
Obama followers are more concerned with spreading lies and beating Hillary than they are about getting a democrat in the White House.
You know, the Obama followers like to cluck about how Hillary supporters supposedly aren't educated, which they use to say that Hillary supporters aren't smart?
Well, who will have the last laugh when Obama loses it all for the democrats? Who will be stupid then?
If you want a democrat in the White House: Vote for Hillary. Voting for Obama is just fooling yourself.
jeff6:55PMMay 9th 2008
MaryO get off the crack pipe.Hillary,Bill are a discrase to this nation.All liberals will do is make another 9/11 happen.I was there that day,Ilost about7 friens including 3 hs buddies.Thanks to Bubba who had 2 chances to get osama.but he was too busy getting bj From Monica,not to mention all of the other scandels.So get sober,vote McCain!!!!!!!!-Jeff(Gulf War Vet,Bronx,N.Y.)
TFitz10178:59PMMay 9th 2008
Check this out Caleb. Your boy has a pre-nup!
"Sen. McCain is routinely is ranked among the richest lawmakers in Congress, but he and his wife have kept their finances separate throughout their marriage. A prenuptial agreement left much of the family's assets in Cindy McCain's name."
A simpsonesque 'HAH-HAH' is in order.
TFitz10179:22PMMay 9th 2008
Just too funny. Poor Johnny. HAH-HAH!
tfitz10179:24PMMay 9th 2008
So, did Cindy tell him not to vote for Bush? I can understand that.
tfitz10179:25PMMay 9th 2008
HAH-HAH!
suzanne10:05PMMay 9th 2008
Que sera sera4:43PMMay 9th 2008
I hope people go to this RNC site and ask hard questions of Mr. Obama you can send in videos too.
http://net.gop.com/canweask/Default.aspx
****************************************************
I sent in a question and they did not post it???
I guess they did not like mine?? Only four videos were on it.
Suzanne
Clinton 08'
kathy10:21PMMay 9th 2008
OBama is the man of the hour I am tired of all the bad stuff they are saying about him
The REv wright was wrong to speak out, he had firm comments that hurt Obama and he knew obama a long time , how can our country have faith in the clergy if the clergy is going to do something like this. he should just stay in his own corner. I dont belive what he said about obama was edifying at all.
He should be praying for obama not strikeing out against him, the reverend had an attitude and just wanted attention drawn to himself. Pride cometh before the Fall , Rev Wright first take the log out of your eye before you try to take the log out of your brothers eye.
love covereth a multitude of Sins!! where is love anymore and respect . Rev, do you think God was happy with you striking out at obama?
you married the couple obama and his wife you saw obam grow up as a child and then you turn on him in such a very disrespectful way.
May God forgive you
Obama is my choice and he seem like the only honest man to put in the white house.
I say quite gossiping about Obama and vote for him
He is humble something I dont see in Hillary Rodlem Clinton , she came out with such rubbish her true colors showed under pressure. Garbage.
JOHN7:07AMMay 10th 2008
I AM A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT,BUT IF OBAMA GETS THE NOMINATION I WILL BE VOTING FOR MCCAIN, AND I WILL VOTE DEMOCRAT FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE.I FEEL THAT HAVING A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT AND A DEMOCRAT HOUSE AND SENATE WOULD BE GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY.
REGINA MARTIN9:38AMMay 10th 2008
I never liked Hillary,wanted MCcain in 2000 not Busch. I voted 4 Busch then and 2004. I liled Oamam till his pastor Wright showed his true colors. I think having a repuclican in office next year will only make things worse 4 the middle class. As much as I didnt like the Clintons I was going 2 vote 4 her. Now I just dont know whom Im voting 4.
John10:11AMMay 10th 2008
FLORIDA DEMANDS REPRESENTATION (FDR)
FDR calls on all voters, nationwide, to stand with us.
Please download our petition and mail it in. Required fields are just name, signature, city & state:
http://www.FloridaDemandsRepresentation.org
Check out "Super Delegate Watch" while at our web site. If our votes don't count, why should THEIRS?
Thanks
John10:12AMMay 10th 2008
FLORIDA DEMANDS REPRESENTATION (FDR)
FDR calls on all voters, nationwide, to stand with us.
Please download our petition and mail it in. Required fields are just name, signature, city and state:
http://www.FloridaDemandsRepresentation.org
Check out "Super Delegate Watch" while at our web site. If our votes don't count, why should THEIRS?
Thanks
Hans H Boggs Oakdale Calif10:47AMMay 10th 2008
DEMOCRAT PARTY-THE WAY YOU HAVE RAN YOUR ELECTION IS SIGHNS THAT THE DEMOCRAT PARTY WILL RUN THE COUNTRY- A BIG JOKE- KEEP ON GOING HILIARY OR OBAMA. THE FINAL RESULT WILL BE PRESIDENT JOHN MCCAIN.
mafresources10:49AMMay 10th 2008
Clinton won the popular vote in more congressional districts than Obama. Leaving dozens of DNC Superdelegates who are now supporting Obama although their own constituents voted for Clinton.
You need to visit the site below and get the info into the hands of their Dem. friends.
Why hasn't the media mentioned that Hillary has won the pop. vot in more congression districts that Obama.
Read these articles The Obama Strikes Back and The New American Disnfranchisement at
www.politicallydrunk.blogspot.com
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David S.4:15PMMay 9th 2008
"The least horrible?" Wow, what a resounding endorsement for McCain. I am guessing that will be the response by most conservatives who vote for McCain. Although, believe me, I am not bragging about either party's choice here, and that will the issue in November - the evil we know (McCain) or the evil we don't know (Obama). But, hey, isn't that the choice every four years?