McCain v Obama Economists POV

[midcan5]

Examining the candidates

"In our special report on the election we analyse the two candidates’ economic plans. Here, we ask professional economists to give us their views."

"The detailed responses are bad news for Mr McCain Eighty per cent of respondents and no fewer than 71% of those who do not cleave to either main party say Mr Obama has a better grasp of economics. Even among Republicans Mr Obama has the edge: 46% versus 23% say Mr Obama has the better grasp of the subject. “I take McCain’s word on this one,” comments James Harrigan at the University of Virginia, a reference to Mr McCain’s infamous confession that he does not know as much about economics as he should. In fairness, Mr McCain’s lower grade may in part reflect greater candour about his weaknesses. Mr Obama’s more tightly managed image leaves fewer opportunities for such unvarnished introspection."


http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=12342127

[stephanie]

never heard of the "Economist".. from their website..



Our survey is not, by any means, a scientific poll of all economists. We e-mailed a questionnaire to 683 research associates, all we could track down, of the National Bureau of Economic Research, America’s premier association of applied academic economists, though the NBER itself played no role in the survey. A total of 142 responded, of whom 46% identified themselves as Democrats, 10% as Republicans and 44% as neither. This skewed party breakdown may reflect academia’s Democratic tilt, or possibly Democrats’ greater propensity to respond. Still, even if we exclude respondents with a party identification, Mr Obama retains a strong edge—though the McCain campaign should be buoyed by the fact that 530 economists have signed a statement endorsing his plans.

:laugh2:

[Yurt]

if polls are any indication of the future, then mccain should win given the polls in the last two elections :laugh2: