July 17, 2004
THE EXPERTS JUST FIGURED THIS OUT?:
Kerry gambling on economy, experts say (WILL LESTER, 7/17/04, The Associated Press)
An AP-Ipsos poll this month found that voters were about evenly divided about the current president's handling of the economy, with 49 percent approving and 50 percent disapproving. Also, consumer confidence has been on the rise.In a twist on the old Reagan question, those in the AP poll were asked: "Compared to four years ago, is your family's financial situation better today, worse today or about the same?"
Four in 10 respondents said better, 34 percent said the same and 26 percent said worse.
In July 1992, only one-quarter of Americans said they were doing better than four years earlier.
"By far, Kerry and Edwards have a harder case to make," said Marlin Fitzwater, a spokesman for Reagan and the elder Bush.
"In 1980, it was a successful argument for President Reagan because everybody in the country felt the weight of the failing economy on a daily basis. It was a truly fearsome reality to see how inflation was taking hold," Fitzwater said.
Should the economy continue to improve, it could complicate the Democrats' message of protecting jobs and reviving the economy.
It's a bad bet. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 17, 2004 7:18 PM
The June numbers were a little soft (job growth, manufacturing surveys, etc) but reports this week (Philly manufacturing up, NY manufacturing up, PPI down) bode well for growth picking back up again. Unless the economy changes dramatically it should be a plus for Bush in November. And with Bush still polling better than Kerry on national security it is hard to see how Bush loses
My mom's been listening to the media, and she knows they're gunning for him. Some talking heads were discussing the electoral map and she thinks he's going to lose.
I said don't be so sure, most people don't pay attention yet.
Posted by: Sandy P at July 18, 2004 1:01 AM