Romney campaign seems to have forgotten about Bush’s economic crises

The Washington Post ^ | April 30, 2012 | Ezra Klein

[C19fan]

There’s not much in politics that allows me to say, “I’m old enough to remember when.” But here’s one: I’m old enough to remember when George W. Bush was president.

It was, after all, only four short years ago. And it didn’t go so well. The Bush economy is one of the worst on record. Median wages dropped. Poverty worsened. Inequality increased. Surpluses turned into deficits. Monthly job growth was weaker than it had been in any expansion since 1954. Economic growth was sluggish. And that’s before you count the financial crisis that unfurled on his watch. Add the collapse to the equation, and Bush’s record goes from “not so good” to “I can’t bear to look.”

[EternalVigilance]

This is an illustration of the truth being unable to get its boots on before the lie has gone halfway around the world.

Well, especially when the Republican Party is being run by people who refuse to boot up.

[CMAC51]

Actually the true measure of the Bush economy should start post 9/11. The post 9/11 crash had nothing to do with Bush’s economic policies, but the dramatic recovery sure did.

[Vendome]

To the author:

You need to get off the bar stool and stole living in the past. We are still four years into the saviors administration and nothing has improved.

Would that your team of psychologists could help you steer your life to the present and address the issues important now.

[SoldierDad]

But here’s one: I’m old enough to remember when George W. Bush was president. It was, after all, only four short years ago. And it didn’t go so well. The Bush economy is one of the worst on record.

Why does everyone leave out of the equation some very important facts:

1) 9/11/01 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

2) The mess created by the democrat's attempt to manipulate the housing market (Freddie Mack/Fanny Mae which CAUSED the market crash 3) The democrats took control of Congress (both houses) in January 2007, placing road block after road block in the path of the Bush Admin with respects to domestic items. 3) Democrats impeding nearly all of the Bush Admin domestic policy beginning shortly after Bush's inaguration in 2001, and continuing through 2008.

Anyone who tries to pin the entirety of the economic mess we are currently in to G.W.B. is a liar.

[Obadiah]

Ezra Klein

Journ-O-List

[elpadre]

Before you heap all of these problems on President Bush, remember the Democrats had control of both Houses during his last two years and they were working fervently to destroy the economy in order to set up Obama as the savior.

[CaribCarter]

Are you certain about the GDP for 2009? I’m not denying it; I’m just curious as to where you got it (and the whole list for that matter).

Thanks.

[mnehring]

I’ll have to google again. It was something like WSJ or IBT. Remember that it was revised a few times so that may be either post or pre-revision which may be why you think it is different.

[mnehring]

This article explains the difference a bit. It was revised down to -3.5%.

http://useconomy.about.com/od/grossdomesticproduct/p/GDP-For-2009.htm

IE, worse than what the other source had.

[Republican Wildcat]

It was, after all, only four short years ago. And it didn’t go so well. The Bush economy is one of the worst on record. Median wages dropped. Poverty worsened. Inequality increased. Surpluses turned into deficits. Monthly job growth was weaker than it had been in any expansion since 1954. Economic growth was sluggish. And that’s before you count the financial crisis that unfurled on his watch. Add the collapse to the equation, and Bush’s record goes from “not so good” to “I can’t bear to look.”

I guess you can say things like that when factual information doesn't apply to your worldview. The majority of the time the economy was sizzling after we came out of the Clinton-Gore recession he inherited (exacerbated by 9/11). The surpluses never materialized - there never was a surplus, and the deficits were back before Bush ever enacted his own budget. The financial collapse his administration repeatedly warned of starting his very first year of office and Democrats pooh-poohed - some even calling efforts to reign it in over the years as racist (a 'lynching' of Franklin Raines, etc.). The fiscal situation was problematic before, but skyrocketed once Pelosi and Reid (with Obama's help as a U.S. Senator voting for the legislation) took the reigns of Congress and it has been all downhill since then.

Timeline shows Bush, McCain warning Dems of financial and housing crisis; meltdown

How The Democrats Caused The Financial Crisis: Starring Bill Clinton's HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo

Cause of 2008 financial crisis - Democrats block regulation

Shocking Video Unearthed Democrats in their own words Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam

[CaribCarter]

Thank you. That helps. I guess the bottom line is that no matter what the real GDP figures may be, once Obama is reelected, they will be routinely adjusted to reflect rapid growth and a booming economy.

[Col Freeper]

Read the Party's file on this American FIFTH COLUMN Member: