The silence of the economists
(posted by Angelica)
Which presidential candidate have the soundest economic policy? Well, these economists don’t really seem to want to tell you:
Almost half of the economists in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey decided against answering a question on which presidential candidate offers the most responsible fiscal policies. However, Sen. John McCain was the clear favorite of those who answered the question.
Paul Krugman gives you permission to hate on economists:
McCain offers the most responsible fiscal policies? Notice that this wasn’t about who you think will be most economically sound in general, or who you think would be better at fiscal management in practice — although even there, nothing in the Republican party’s past 30 years offers any reason to believe that it would be responsible in any way shape or form. But this question was about what the candidate is offering — and McCain’s proposals are, demonstrably, wildly irresponsible.
It’s true that the WSJ seems to have surveyed business economists rather than academics. But this is still shocking.
Tags: hacks, Wall Street Journal
May 9th, 2008 at 9:28 am
These are the same economists that believe deficits don’t matter and that cutting taxes increases revenue. In February, Standard & Poors said that the U.S government was in danger of losing its AAA credit rating and the dollar is hitting new lows in the international currency markets. Senator McCain promises more of the same with the avid support of these same economists. They should be ashamed of themselves.