GOP In Weak Economic Position For November

Conventional wisdom suggests that Republican presidents are good for the economy, compared to Democratic ones. However, a comparison of data from 1980-2007 shows that the economy was more robust during the Clinton Administration -- primarily with an opposition Congress, I might add -- than during Reagan, Bush41 or Bush 43.

Paul Krugman compares the 2001-2007 "expansion" to other post-World War II "expansions." Its conclusion? Only corporate profits grew more than average: not employment, wages, net work, investment dollars, consumption, or GDP.

In a companion column, Krugman writes:

Over all, Mr. Bush will be lucky to leave office with a net gain of five million jobs, far short of the number needed to keep up with population growth. For comparison, Bill Clinton presided over an economy that added 22 million jobs.

Remember that Bill Clinton defeated Bush41 with a campaign focused on "it's the economy, stupid."