Democrats on the Economy in 1996:

“Our economy is the healthiest it has been in three decades.” (President Bill Clinton, State of the Union Address, January 23, 1996)

Democrats on the Economy in 2008:

“The bottom line is that this administration is the owner of the worst jobs record since Herbert Hoover.” (Senator Charles Schumer, Press Release, March 7, 2008)

Key Labor Market Statistics in 1996 and 2008
Facts from March 1996, then facts from March 2008
1. U.S. Unemployment Rate 5.5%, 5.1%
2. Number of Long-Term Unemployed 1.33 million, 1.28 million
3. Average Weeks Unemployed 17.3 weeks, 16.2 weeks
4. Median Weeks Unemployed 8.3 weeks, 8.1 weeks
5. Not in Labor Force because discouraged over job prospects 451,000, 401,000
6. Democrats calling for Extended Unemployment Benefits? No, Yes
7. President’s Party Affiliation Democrat, Republican

In the interest of fairness I pasted this off a page and I’ll go back and post the citation in my next post.

Bad News John W.:

WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY

The economy was on voters’ minds in Democratic primaries in Indiana and North Carolina. Two-thirds of Democratic primary voters in Indiana and nearly as many in North Carolina said the economy is the most important issue facing the nation. That’s more than have said so in 28 previous competitive Democratic primaries with exit polls this year.

That seems to be one thing that the majority of us agree on. (except for McSAME who wants four more years of Bush)