Talk Elections

Hide behind the poll.

Ok, real talk. I understand that the economic crisis and subsequent rise in the UE greatly helped Obama in 2008, but I can honestly say that the prospects of the recession still scared the crap out of me. I was never happy to see the job losses during the election because it affected all of us, regardless of who we were supporting.

I'm sure there were some Romney supporters who were secretly hoping for a double dip this year, but I'm sure the vast majority didn't want to see that happen(if that is what you were insinuating).

how many threads do we need on the unemployment report?

Nah, I'm not trying to insinuate or bring about any type of narrative.  It's just another 'hack test.'

As someone who has college among other things to worry about, I can honestly say no, I would not.  I didn't really understand the magnitude of the recession four years ago, but I definitely wouldn't have wished for anyone to lose their job or have to change their retirement plans due to the declining state of the economy.

Unsure (D)

No, I'm not Politico.

Its just that I have no Faith in Obama improving the unemployment rate now or in the next 4 years. 

I have no feelings about an increase or a decrease in the unemployment rate.  The only thing I see is that Obama's Big social programs are hurting employment and hiring. 

The mood is that I expect the unemployment rate to stay flat at around 8% for the next 3 years, until businesses get a better idea how these new regulations will effect their hiring budgets. 

I want Romney to win because I think he will improve the climate for businesses to succeed and grow, which leads to hiring. 

I see Obama as far more interested in helping the "worker" secure "worker's rights and benefits" such as health care and a good salary.  But these social programs help workers already with jobs.  They don't really spur companies to want to hire more workers to increase their business expenses. 

If unemployment drops within 4 weeks of the election, I would say to Obama "its about time, but too little, too late"  I think businesses are only hiring now because some see and hope for signifcant changes after the election.  Some businesses even hope for a Romney victory and see "rays of sunshine" coming soon when Romney wins. 

In conclusion, I think that Obama is incapable and uncaring of the national unemployment rate.  He's more concerned about Benefits, which might even help you if you don't have a job. 

If Romney is basing his whole election manifesto and chances of success on unemployment rates, then he has a bit of a problem. It's about time he told American what he can do, not what Obama can't do.

Whats with all the new Democrats coming on the forums?

Knowing that the federal reserve's plan is to pump 40$ billion of worthless phantom money into the economy every month until unemployment goes down...no.

Maybe because everyone is voting for Obama?

Of course not.

Your statement carries no merit.

Yes, because I'd believe that my candidate would lower unemployment.

Its really sad that people actually responded "Yes" to this question.

Anyone saying yes is genuine HP....

I want unemployment to increase even if it hurts my candidate's chances of winning.

No, of course not.  And I echo the others that say

I voted Unsure because there are examples of bad governments which only win reelection becuase the unemployment rate decreased the month before the election (some regional elections in Spain) but it was obvious it'd increase again non-stop with the same people in power.

No (normal)

The fact that the R vote is 50/50 is pretty disgusting.

Of course not (R)

I don't care who the President is, if the economy is growing and jobs are being created, that's a good thing.

If the premise is that my candidate would win or have a very good chance of winning if unemployment went up, given the kind of candidates I support, the establishment of a strong US third party could be worth unemployment going up.

The polls suggest differently.

is that a Bill Parcells quote in your sig?

No because I'm not an immature and horrible human being.

It's an Obama quote.

Option 4.  I certainly want the economy to get better, but I don't want people to give President Obama all the credit and reelect him because of it.

I'd prefer for actual unemployment to go down and for the unemployment rate to go up. The best of both worlds - and not implausible. A recovering economy could make more jobless people look for jobs, thus increasing the U-3 unemployment rate. 

Excellent dodge of the question.

So who deserves the credit in your opinion?

I don't know, but it depends on a lot of factors.  You can't just blame or give credit to elected officials for those things.

So public policy (enacted by elected officials) has no effect on things like unemployment and the economy?