Bush and Repubs have to convince the public the economy is growing...

[kentuck]

and that things have turned around. They must do this before election and they will attempt to do it by hook or crook. They will minimize the massive deficits and the job losses and will point to some manufacturing statistic for the last month or so or something to that effect and will spread it all over the mediums.

They think they can win with the "war" issue already and that their only threat is really the economy. They need some positive news to tell the public. They would rather not make it up but they will if they have to. Democrats should continue to pound them on their war strategy, ie, "Bush has no exit strategy. He has no idea how to get us out of this mess in Iraq, etc." This will weaken his strongest position and we should be ready for an all out attack on the economy by next September or October, just before election. This would be the best strategy for the Democrats, in my opinion.

[Newsjock]

1. With CNN's and CNBC's help, it's a cake walk

Don't miss out on the next big bull market! Buy now! On margin! Everything you can afford -- do you really want to be left on the sidelines?

Pump, pump, pump!

[tom_paine]

6. It's true, newsjock

Stock probably are a very good "investment".

But better make sure you get out before the "dump" that inevitably comes.

After what is likely to be a Stalinist Farce of an "election" in 2004, I think all the steps the Busheviks have taken to falsely inflate the market are going to go kerflooey.

[haymaker]

16. P/E ratios already at pre 2000 selloff highs.

Now is the time to get out. At least untill they try to prop em up again to save Shrubby.

[greekspeak]

15. You got it...and it is already happening

The media, from Cokie Roberts and her precious little reports on NPR to Fox cannot seem to sing paeans loudly enough about the improving economy. All the media has to do is report that shit sandwiches are caviar to get people to eat them like succulent morsels, so people will buy it.

The media has given up on the democratic party. The media reports that the democrats just aren't getting it, and that Chimpykins is the greatest man since Jesus Christ. Faux began reporting a few months ago that Bush has already won the 2004 election, for he is unbeatable. In the same breath, the media sets up these little "debates," which are designed to make the democrats look like the Three Stooges and the Marx Brothers all rolled into one, then gabs on incessently about how nobody knows who the democrats are.

Its about time to face facts, folks. Conservative ideology is winning this country over, because so many people have been trained to drool like Pavlov's dog whenever they hear something conservative. I honestly believe that if the Great Depression II hit tomorrow, George Bush II would win next fall, because they would find a way to make people think poverty is chic.

[GainesT1958]

2. What are they going to do...

Get a photo-op of Ahhnold buying another Hummer?:eyes:

B-)

[Qutzupalotl]

3. One example

The deficit numbers: $378B vs. $450. It's lower! Never mind that it's twice what it was last year, or the highest in history, it's lower than (we) said it was going to be! It's LOWER!!

Total deception. Should be easy to call them on it.

[tom_paine]

7. Should be, but isn't. Goebbels v2.0 is without a doubt

the most powerful Propaganda Machine and Lie Laundry in human history.

Combined with the utter parasitization of Corporate TV Pravda, "easy" isn't in Truth's Vocabulary in the Amerikan Empire.

[rasputin1952]

4. Well, they can't prove it by me...

I got laid off on the 2nd of Oct.

Jobs are scarce in this area, just as they are all over the country.

Gee, I wonder if the bushies know any of this? I guess they won't come around here, every sector is hurting. The local economy rests on agriculture, and that should about sum it up.

:nuke:

[kentuck]

5. But this is their strategy they talk about behind closed doors....

in my opinion. :)

[tritsofme]

8. The economy

is growing, but jobs are leaking.

What I guess I am really scared of is an economic recovery before the election.

I believe that bussiness cycles trump even the worst economic policy, and that if the perception exists that the economy is back on track, thanks to Bush, I think we are going to run into some major problems.

[kentuck]

9. I think you are right but...

It will take a lot of growth to make up for the number of jobs already lost. It will be a strong argument point for Democrats if there is a negative number in job growth for a 4 year period.

[tritsofme]

10. But

if 2004 looks good for him in terms of jobs, thats all that will matter in the election. Thats what frightens me.

[haymaker]

19. PPssshhaaaaww.

Frightens you? Whatev.

[rasputin1952]

11. You can't have a Recovery without a decrease in unemployment...

This recession will hang on for a bit longer. Most of the gain in recent weeks is due to the increase in military spending, and the things that are attendant to that. Once the "beans and bullets", (much less the higher $ items) are taken care of, the drop will be back. Investors may be 'savvy', but they make huge mistakes as well, and the current debt load can, and will, crush our credibility if it is not dealt with.

there is so much foreign investment in this country, if half of those outside venturists pulled the plug, we'd be dead in the water. :scared:

:kick:

[Silverhair]

12. Jobs are a lagging economic indicator

An economy doesn't all go up or down at the same time. If a recession is coming, usually housing starts and heavy construction will be the first things to go down, and after the recession is in full swing the job losses start. When things turn around jobs are the last thing to recover. That's order of the cycle - Rep or Dem president doesn't matter, that's the order. The economy is in recovery now. That too is a fact. Denying it doesn't help us. Second quarter growth was 3.3%, and the economy added 57K jobs. On a national scale that not very many, but it does indicate that the bottom has been reached and is now coming back up. (On a personal level, the place where my wife works (A small facatory, owner knows most of the employees.)has just had a strong positive 3rd quarter, and the owner is looking at having to hire some more help. (He's a Dem and is surprised by such a strong thrird quarter.)If the economy continues to grow the deficeits will shrink.

We need to plan a campaign that will be effective in a good economy. There are lots of issues that can be used.

But we need to get out of denial.

[kentuck]

13. I'm beginning to think this entire "recession" was caused by....

the Bush/Cheney negative remarks back during their campaign. As I recall, the unemployment rate had gone up to 4% from 3.9 in the last quarter of Clinton Administration.

[tritsofme]

17. Well

GDP growth was hardly 1% in Q3 and Q4 of 2000, it hit recession in
Q1-3 of 2001, GDP growth resumed and techincal recession ended in Q4 2001.

Bush/Cheney said what economists told them to, which was true.

The economy moves in cycles, the 1990's bubble had to end sometime, and it peaked in 1999.

This downturn has to end too.

The only question is, as Silverhair said, how do we shift our arguments to meet new economic conditions?

[kentuck]

21. Strange coincidence ?

During Clinton's terms, there were 32 quarters of growth, then on the 33rd quarter, it goes into recession. Coincidentally just when Bush and Cheney are taking power. What are the odds of that happening ever again?

[haymaker]

22. The economy is not strong.

It is not growing all that quickly, and the market is now at its peak until better news comes. The average american is spent. They have nothing left. Everyone has their car, has refinanced their house (twice), has maxed their credit (as far as they are willing or have to), the national debt will have an effect on interest rates, the dropping dollar will cause foreign investors to take money out of America, housing will slow, etc., etc., etc.

Plenty of people are saying its over, its over. But many in the know are not. There is a difference between the people who say something through experience and knowlege, and those whose say things with the hope of having an influence on the stupid. The Bush Admin is the latter.

Don't bet the farm just yet.

[tritsofme]

23. Some are predicting 7% GPD growth in Q3...

[TKP]

20. Thank You

I can appreciate someone who deals with reality. Thank You, Silverhair.

I compile economic analysis for the Federal Reserve here in SF. I have been with the FR for over 20 years, 15 in the Atlanta Reserve Bank. We ARE in rcovery and the economic models all point towards a continuing recovery. The Democrat nominees need to concentrate on how our Party would make this recovery stronger and more robust. And you're right, denial is only going to bury us.

[haymaker]

18. Pshaaaw.

Jobs aren't leaking. Merck announced 4400 layoffs today.

In my industry, automobile, things are getting worse, fast.

[mlawson]

14. Dems should try to get minimum wage raised next year,

and it's win-win. If it passes they can INSIST on the credit for it, and if it fails or bush vetoes it, the repooks get the blame.