The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined in November, improved in December. The Index now stands at 92.6 (1985=100), up from 91.0 in November. CONT. Conference Board Read more »
Economic Confidence Index at +2, Highest Since 2008
Gallup’s U.S. Economic Confidence Index last week tipped into positive territory for the first time since before the Great Recession started in December 2007. The index averaged +2 for the week ending Dec. 28, a possible sign that Americans are feeling the accelerating economic recovery. CONT. Andrew Dugan, Gallup Read more »
What does it take to win the Democratic nomination in 2016?
Get out your pitchforks, Democrats! A showdown over populism is coming. The core of the problem is the decline of Democratic support among white working-class voters. White voters without a college degree made up 36 percent of the midterm electorate this year. They voted nearly 2-to-1 Republican. … Now an […] Read more »
Learning from 2014 and Turning to 2016
Now that we are getting the second and third level dissections of Campaign 2014 from thoughtful Democratic analysts, we thought it would be a good time for a review. The starting point for the post-election discussion amounted to efforts to reassure dispirited Democrats that the 2014 election was typically unique […] Read more »
As Economy Strengthens, Obama’s Popularity Is Likely to Rise
When will the improving American economy translate into higher approval ratings for President Obama? It will take time. But if recent trends continue, Mr. Obama’s political standing is likely to strengthen. CONT. Brendan Nyhan (Dartmouth), New York Times Read more »
U.S. consumer sentiment rises to best since 2007
U.S. consumer sentiment jumped in December to its highest level in nearly eight years on cheaper gasoline and better job and wage prospects, a survey released on Tuesday showed. CONT. Reuters Read more »