Is It The Economy?

For John, BLUF:  The state of the economy may well determine the election, but four Republicans see it in trouble for every Democrat (and two Independents for every Dem).  Nothing to see; just move along.

From the news agragator, Memorandum we have a link to a Buzz Feed article that says when someone declares this presidential campaign is about the economy they may be technically correct, but not informative.

From the Pew Research Center For the People & The Press we have a report that says different groups have different views of the economy.

Just 15% of Democrats say recent economic news is mostly bad, down from 31% a month ago and among the lowest percentages over the last four years.  Six-in-ten Republicans (60%) say news about the economy is mostly bad, as do 36% of independents. Opinions among Republicans and independents are largely unchanged from a month ago.

That seems to be a fairly large spread.  Is it selective hearing, or does it represent different understandings of the economy?

So, in a way, it may well be the economy, or the voters' impression of it, that determines who is inaugurated in January.

Maybe this is the new normal for the economy.  Maybe we have become like Japan.

Regards  —  Cliff