"Did Democrats time the economic stimulus to impact the midterm elections?"

[Clio the Leo]

Timing the Economic Recovery

James Surowiecki notes that there is "a strong correlation between voting in Presidential elections and income growth during election years." In fact, income growth in "the second and third quarters of the election year seem to matter most. Since the second quarter started just last week, there's time for moods to brighten substantially by Election Day."

While it's not a presidential election year, he notes that Democrats "do have an ace in the hole when it comes to keeping the economy moving: last year's stimulus bill was backloaded, which means that close to five hundred billion dollars in stimulus money is still to be spent."

"That backloading of the bill was good economics: with the Federal Reserve doing less to pump up the economy, an extra half-trillion dollars in fiscal stimulus will help pick up the slack. It was also good politics, since much of that money will be flooding into the economy during the key second and third quarters."

Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/04/12/timing_the_economic_recovery.html#ixzz0kx76SqDF

and more...
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2010/04/19/100419ta_talk_surowiecki

[dchill]

1. Gee, I hope so!

That would be smart.

[napi21]

2. Maybe, but I doubt it's going to do much for unemployment & that's

what's going to win or lose the elections.

I only wish I could think of something that would motivate the Denms to vote in Nov! I & you kow what it's like to HATE the guys inoffice at the time of an election and that is motivating the Pubs! We need to find something that will get the Dems out to the damn polls! If we don't, we're done!!!

[WonderGrunion]

11. We added 162,000 jobs last month

I expect we'll add another 1.5 million jobs before the elections.

[chollybocker]

3. Timing the markets is never a good idea.

;)

Why don't they just say, "The Dems have handled the economic catastrophe inherited by them very well", or maybe, "Obama has already proven his mettle and is a damn good President" ???

But no, this economic recovery has become a conspiracy by the DNC to win elections. WTF?

[craigmatic]

4. Probably so. The question is "will it help democrats?" And I'm not so sure it will. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

7. How do you know?

First you guess on this, and then it's bad news? Convenient!

[craigmatic]

12. I guessed because I don't know the answer but I assume they wrote the bill that way on purpose.

As far as helping the dems goes, I didn't say if it was bad or good. I just assume it won't help because there's more going on right now than one bill can fix. The problems are the teabaggers, the recession, and the media. The solution is more of a good PR campaign, another bill breaking up these too big to fail companies, and regulating banks.

[golfguru]

5. Has the number of UNemployed dropped yet?

until that happens, all bets are off.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Really?

Thanks for letting us know this!

Hope when the unemployment rate goes down,
you won't be moving the goalpost....

I've noticed that there is little if anything
you've commented on that would be interpreted as a positive about
this administration.

[joeglow3]

10. Still doesn't change the accuracy of the statement

I am not on here enough to know but a few people. However, what they posted was 100% accurate and attacking to poster instead of the content is not something I would expect from you (one of the illustrious few).

[FrenchieCat]

17. After hearing and reading nothing but teabagging news

and negatives on this administration at this forum,
I'm liable to say anything out of exasperation.

[joeglow3]

20. Fair enough

I hope that the unused stimulus funds can be used to bring down unemployment. Without that, the average worker is not going to care one bit if the Dow is 15,000 if they are still unemployed. Thus, when speaking about the "economy," the ONLY thing that matters for election purposes is unemployment numbers (and this includes the numbers including underemployed and those "not actively looking for work").

[golfguru]

19. Yes and no!

I miss the Clinton years. It was the most prosperous
period in my entire life. I was able to retire early
in 1999 due to what happened during Clinton.

But who knows, we could still see a vast improvement ahead.
Until then, I am not going to blindly worship this or any
other administration.

[Cha]

15. Yeah, like the party of Hell No would do any

fooking thing about it.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

18. Pray tell - exactly what bets are you making? (nt)

[Doctor_J]

8. Better than letting Osama fly planes into the WTC

right :shrug:

[Cha]

14. Right on...the corporatemediawhoredom PUMPED UP

the GOP until they won the midterms after bushcheney slept at the wheel and 911 happened.

And, that's when I cancelled all the newscablewhores.

[high density]

9. They'll complain no matter what the Democrats do

Last year they complained the stimulus was was too big.
Then they complained it's too little and nothing was happening.
Now they're complaining because money is indeed flowing and it happens to be an even numbered year.

Give us a break.

[Dr Morbius]

13. Gee, they've never seemed smart enough to do it before... (nt)

[WI_DEM]

16. Good.

[tranche]

21. It might have more to do with the fact billion dollar spending programs...

take a bit more than a few months to ramp up.

[quaker bill]

22. Ya Think?

Just like Bush used to work with the Saudi's to lower oil prices during an election year?

I got a really nice tax cut and the biggest refund I have ever seen. Ya think?

I am pretty sure.

[hobbit709]

23. They have that kind of power?

Or did their corporate sponsors decide to give them a little image boost.