The Latest GDP report just threw a wrench into one of Trump's main arguments

[SirLinksALot]

SOURCE: BUSINESS INSIDER

URL: http://www.businessinsider.com/gdp-report-trump-2016-10

by: Bob Bryan


Friday's advance estimate of US gross domestic product data, measuring the overall growth of the US economy, came in higher than expected at 2.9% annualized growth, above the projected 2.6% and the strongest number in two years.

While this is certainly good news for the US economy, it comes as a speed bump for the candidacy of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Trump has run on a platform of economic dissatisfaction and painted Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as a continuation of President Barack Obama's administration with the hope that voters will view four more years of a Democratic presidency in a negative light.

A strong GDP number showing continued steady growth (though slower than that of most economic expansions) seems to run counter to the Trump narrative that America is no longer "great" and that the economy needs serious improvement.

Add on decent jobs-report numbers over the past few months — people returning to the labor force, unemployment near cycle lows, and wages beginning to pick up — and the economic case from Trump doesn't appear as strong.

Obama's approval ratings are near the highest of his administration. So making the election a referendum on his economic policies amid stronger economic data and Obama's improved popularity could be a risky proposition.

While most voters have already made up their minds, negative economic surprises in both data and headlines could influence those who are still undecided or inspire turnout from a so-far uncounted pool of disgruntled workers that could break for Trump. These surprises, however, don't appear to be materializing.

More Americans cite the economy in general as the most important issue in the election, and studies show that personal economic well-being is a strong influence in the voting booth. A CNN/ORC poll released in September found that Americans had the most positive outlook for the economy in the past nine years. And half of Americans said they approved of Obama's handling of the economy.

Now, there are some caveats. First, GDP and the unemployment rate don't necessarily have a strong correlation with who will win the election, though a higher raw number of jobs added does favor the incumbent party to a certain extent. On a qualitative basis, however, these indicators can be used to assess the general economic mood of the electorate.

Furthermore, the economic data is not overwhelmingly positive compared with that of other recoveries. But relative to this current cycle, it is strong.

And finally, there are regional variations to economic strength, so Trump's message of economic weakness is likely to resonate more in places like the industrial Midwest, where Trump has seen some of his most significant support.

The Trump campaign took a long-term view of economic growth in its response to the GDP number.

"America can do better than the modest growth of 2.9% recorded for the 3rd quarter and the dismal growth of 1.5% for the past year," wrote Dan Kowalski, Trump's deputy policy director.

He added: "Growth hasn't risen above 3% for a full year in any year of the Obama presidency. Decades of strong economic growth and global leadership have been replaced with low-paying jobs, global chaos and a national debt that has doubled under Obama-Clinton."

While it's true that economic growth was better in recoveries from previous recessions, many Americans view their economic situation relative to the recent past rather than to long-term trends. Or as Ronald Reagan put it when he was running for president in 1980, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"

The last economic curveball before the November 8 election could be the October jobs report, which will be released just four days before Election Day. If the report disappoints, seizing on a worse-than-expected number could be a strong narrative push for Trump in the final days. There are expected to be some disruptions, however, since the survey was taken around the time Hurricane Matthew hit the Southeast; that could provide easy cover for Democrats to counter a bad surprise.

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[skeeter]

Any realistic GDP number needs to omit the costs of healthcare, specifically monthly healthcare insurance premiums.

[dfwgator]

Surely in an election year the government wouldn't lie, would they?

[kevindavis007]

My guess later on it will be revised downwards..

[jmyrlefuller]

Surely in an election year the government wouldn't lie, would they?

Especially with a scion of honesty and integrity like Barack Obama in charge. Him? Lie for political benefit? Never! /sarc

[rodamala]

As long as government spending (WHICH NEVER GOES DOWN) is included as a part of GDP, the metric is WORTHLESS as an indicator of economic growth.

With the recession that never went away (8 effing years of "0bama summer recovery"), any uptick is merely an indication of expanding the Federal Debt, or increased theft of wages.

[Suppressed]

As long as government spending (WHICH NEVER GOES DOWN) is included as a part of GDP, the metric is WORTHLESS as an indicator of economic growth.

With the recession that never went away (8 effing years of "0bama summer recovery"), any uptick is merely an indication of expanding the Federal Debt, or increased theft of wages.

Same with things like childcare. Inefficiency boosts the GDP number.

[skeeter]

As long as government spending (WHICH NEVER GOES DOWN) is included as a part of GDP, the metric is WORTHLESS as an indicator of economic growth.

With the recession that never went away (8 effing years of "0bama summer recovery"), any uptick is merely an indication of expanding the Federal Debt, or increased theft of wages.

Using myself as an example, where I was spending $5400 per year on health insurance three year ago I (if I was still buying insurance) would be spending $16800 per year today.

What else an I spending that much money on per year? Not food, not clothes, not my car. Get enough of us paying that much money, increasing every year, and the GDP receives quite a pop.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

My guess later on it will be revised downwards..

unexpectedly.... again...