Reply #13: Well, it has everything to do with cycles... ELECTION cycles, that is. [View All]

[Brotherjohn]

I agree completely with your post. I remember when Clinton's first budget passed, despite the gloom and doom forecasts of Repubs.

The very day after, and consistently from then on, the stock market surged. Not that this was due solely to Clinton's budget, but it had an impact. Consumer confidence also increased. Jobs began to grow.

Analysts at the time said this confidence by both investors and consumers was due largely to the fact that we were getting our financial house in order; even if that was just perception at the time (it turned out to be true, as the deficits began to shrink).

Of course presidents have an impact on the economy! It is simply not in the interest of Republicans to admit that, because the impact of Republican presidents is usually negative, whereas that of Democratic presidents is usually positive.