WP: Partisans Differ Over Economic Outlook (Dem/Repub perception gap high)

[DeepModem Mom]

Partisans Differ Over Economic Outlook
Gap Between the Two Parties Highest Since 1990

By Claudia Deane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 22, 2005; 5:01 PM


During the past fifteen years, Republicans have consistently held a rosier view of economic conditions than Democrats, but at no time has this perceptions gap been greater than in the past year, according to a historical analysis of weekly data from The Washington Post-ABC News consumer confidence survey.

The overall Consumer Comfort Index currently stands at -9, matching its long term average. Among Republicans, the index rises to 28. Among Democrats, it is -35, more than 60 points lower.

To translate this into less abstract terms, in the survey conducted last weekend roughly six in ten Republicans rated the state of the national economy as "excellent" or "good," compared to two in ten Democrats. Three in four GOP respondents rated their own personal finances the same way, compared to half of Democrats. And nearly twice as many Republicans as Democrats said now was a good time to buy things....

***

To some extent the partisan differences likely reflect an underlying income disparity between the two groups. A Post-ABC News poll conducted in mid-March found that about six in ten Democrats said their annual household income was less than $50,000 per year, compared to four in ten Republicans....But other polling suggests that the political divide survives even after taking income into account. In a pre-election survey conducted at the height of partisan division last summer, 70 percent of Republicans in households making less than $50,000 per year described the economy as "excellent" or "good," compared to only 22 percent of Democrats in the same income bracket....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57513-2005Mar22.html

[Hamcracker]

1. The outlook is always good when we can cut taxes and borrow forever & ever

[Tweed]

2. It's because the Democrats at the bottom are bitting the bullet

While the Republican fat cats sit high and mighty living off of us.

[PassingFair]

3. "To translate this into less abstract terms"

Republicans are living in Prozacville. And they are full of it.

[wellst0nev0ter]

4. "Shape of the earth, views differ"

here's an idea, look at past statements by Democrats and Republicans and see WHO HAS BEEN RIGHT THE MOST TIME.


ijits.