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Election 2012: Ever deeper into the primary season the Republicans go without having yet chosen a nominee. They will eventually settle on one, but in the meantime the GOP candidates need to keep the focus on the economy.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index dropped by 1.9 points, or 3.8%, in March posting 47.5 vs. 49.4 in February. The index is 4.7 points above its 12-month average of 42.8 and 3.1 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 2.4 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
The gap between rich and poor is at its widest since the Roaring '20s. Obama complains that it's unfair, but a growing chorus of economists and sociologists say it's worse than that.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 1.9 points, or 4.0%, in February posting 49.4 vs. 47.5 in January. The index is 7.0 points above its 12-month average of 42.4 and 5.0 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 0.4 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 4.7 points, or 11.0%, in January posting 47.5 vs. 42.8 in December. The index is 5.0 points above its 12-month average of 42.5 and 3.1 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 2.4 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 2.2 points, or 5.4%, in December posting 42.8 vs. 40.6 in November. The index is 0.1 points below its 12-month average of 42.9 and 1.6 points below its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 7.2 points below its all-time average of 50.0.
Jobs: Americans woke up Friday to the good news that the unemployment rate had dropped sharply from 9% to 8.6%. On closer inspection, the decline is highly questionable — and doesn't warrant a surge in optimism.
Budget Policy: Americans broadly agree that government has gotten too big and that spending needs to be cut. Great. But just what should be cut? On that, their message is a bit more muddled.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 0.3 points, or 0.7%, in November posting 40.6 vs. 40.3 in October. The index is 2.6 points below its 12-month average of 43.2 and 3.8 points below its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 9.4 points below its all-time average of 50.0.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 0.4 points, or 1.0%, in October posting 40.3 vs. 39.9 in September. In August, the index had crashed to its historic low of 35.8. The index is 3.4 points below its 12-month average of 43.7 and 4.1 points below its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 9.8 points below its all-time average of 50.1.
[Updated - September 10, 2012] In the latest TIPP poll, 35% of Americans give President Obama an A or B for creating jobs and economic growth, 33% give him good grades for his managing of the federal budget, and 37% give him good grades for his handling of the economy.
[Updated - May 6, 2013] According to our latest TIPP survey, 20% of U.S. households have at least one person looking for employment in April. Nearly three-tenths (29%) of U.S. households are concerned that a family member may be laid off in the next twelve months. The share of "Job Sensitive" households is 40%.
