"Kerry Takes Gamble on Economy, Experts Say"

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats John Kerry and John Edwards are gambling that there is enough lingering uneasiness about pocketbook issues that their message about a struggling economy and loss of jobs will resonate despite rising public optimism.

"It's the best issue they've got, especially in some of the swing states," said Democratic consultant Dane Strother.

When it comes to voters' anxiety about the economy, this election year is a far cry from 1980, when Ronald Reagan famously asked: "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

Nor does 2004 measure up to 1992, when Bill Clinton's team summed up the campaign's theme with the memorable phrase: "It's the economy, stupid."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040718/D83T9HU00.html

[Democat]

1. If the media tells people the economy is good enough times...

They will probably believe it.

Unfortunately, the U.S. media is trying to do everything they can to help Bush get elected.

Let's hope the truth of Bush's failure is stronger than the media lies of his greatness.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I know what's in my wallet, no matter what CNN says.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Not if the public doesn't have a job

or they see that their paychecks are shrinking due to higher state and local taxes. People are believing their own situations, not the lies hyed by the media.

[stellanoir]

2. "it's the devisive incompetance stupid."

[qanda]

4. People who write these kinds of articles just don't get it...

The middle class is being squeezed and the poor, well they are pretty much hopeless. The cost of healthcare, housing, food and just the basic necessities has most people living from paycheck to paycheck. I don't think people who have risen above that struggle can honestly understand what that feels like.

[onehandle]

5. Two words.

Clinton Economy. Bush flushed it and we suffer for it.

Want to see that kind of expansion again? Vote Democratic.

Pass it on, Senator Kerry.

[Beetwasher]

6. What A Load Of Incredible Steaming Bullshit!!

'When it comes to voters' anxiety about the economy, this election year is a far cry from 1980, when Ronald Reagan famously asked: "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"'

Oh fucking really???? Is that a FACT?? BULLSHIT.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. I'd like to know why these people never call me for their stupid polls

[nose pin]

9. The Moonies are on the bandwagon today too

KERRY'S DEFICIT WOES
http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/27358.htm

July 18, 2004 -- IF it's not bad enough that rapid economic recovery has neutered Sen. John Kerry's principal domestic criticism of President Bush, now comes even worse news for the Democratic campaign: The budget deficit is starting to substantially shrink.
The latest budget numbers show a $19.1 billion surplus for June, $3 billion higher than the $16 billion Wall Street expectation. It seems that a flood of new tax collections, spurred by fatter employment payrolls and corporate profits, is rapidly reducing the federal budget gap. Tax receipts from businesses rose an astonishing 38 percent over the past 12 months, and personal income-tax collections increased almost 9 percent.

What's happening? Could it be that stronger economic growth from lower tax rates is producing more tax receipts? I believe it's called . . . supply-side economics.

Just as the 1.5 million new jobs created since last August has terminated talk of a jobless recovery, the chatter over widening budget deficits will end. The fiscal-year 2004 budget deficit now looks to come in around $435 billion, less than 4 percent of GDP. This would be almost $100 billion below estimates early in the year from the Office of Management and Budget and about $50 billion less than Congressional Budget Office forecasts.

The administration is also getting its arms around federal spending. Fiscal year to date, growth in spending on domestic discretionary programs has slowed to 2.7 percent from 6.8 percent a year ago.



snip------

[Cha]

10. It may be the "best issue" they have but it's not the only

one...there is a little thing about an Iraqi Quagmire...the Environment, and this facist government that stole into power.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Coporate Cable News doesn't liek to report on those other issues, at least

not in an unfavorable manner to King George.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

12. Typical AP opinion piece disguised as news.

[Don_G]

13. This Is The News No Matter What Opinion AP Has

[Protected]

14. I guess any approach would be better than what we're doing now

I think everybody who is trumpeting that the economy is improving or is already doing great needs to lose their job and then see how truly great it is.