… What, after all, do people want from economic policy? The answer, it turns out, is that it depends on which people you ask — a point documented in a recent research paper by the political scientists Benjamin Page, Larry Bartels and Jason Seawright. The paper compares the policy preferences of […] Read more »
The 1 Chart That Could Sever Obama’s Coalition
What could dissolve the powerful electoral coalition that powered both of President Obama’s victories? The latest Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor poll points to the greatest risk: continuing economic dissatisfaction. [cont.] Ron Brownstein, National Journal Read more »
Americans See Finances as Better, but Worse Than Pre-2008
Forty-five percent of Americans rate their personal financial situation as excellent or good, and 47% say their financial situation is getting better. These ratings are improved from previous points over the last several years, but have not yet returned to the levels found prior to the 2008 financial crisis. [cont.] […] Read more »
Economic Confidence Inches Up
The Gallup U.S. Economic Confidence Index was -14 last week, compared with -17 the prior week. The current score is six points below the five-year high of -8 reached in early February. [cont.] Alyssa Brown, Gallup Read more »
Public Pessimism On Economy Is Increasing
For the third year in a row, the nation’s economic recovery has hit a springtime soft spot. Reflecting that weakness, only 1 in 4 Americans now expects his or her own financial situation to improve over the next year, a new Associated Press-GfK poll shows. The sour mood is undermining […] Read more »
Consumer Comfort Reaches Five-Year High as Finances Heal
Consumer sentiment jumped last week to the highest level in more than five years as record stock prices and the rebound in housing made more Americans feel the expansion will be maintained. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index climbed to minus 29.2 in the week ended April 14, the highest since […] Read more »