Ideally for Democrats, unemployment would start to decline by February of 2010, which would provide enough time before the elections to recoup whatever losses they would suffer between now and peak unemployment. However, few economists seem to be predicting such an early unemployment peak, so that is a longshot.

Ideally for Democrats, they would pursue policies that are conducive to increased employment. But then they wouldn’t be Democrats. I think it’s hilarious that they’re counting on the business cycle to save them, after they’re doing their best to screw it all up.

petunia on June 23, 2009 at 6:42 PM
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There’s a couple factors. Some people are completely not-in-the-loop and won’t start paying attention until the excrement is most of the way through the fan. Some will never admit a mistake. The biggest groups, I think, are those who are taking a “give him a chance” stance, and the people who are emotionally invested in not admitting Obama is a disaster.

Give it time. It’s early days for America to wake up. (although the gutless D.C. wing of the Republican party have no such excuse – no guts no glory, DC!)

Mew

Gas prices.

Yes, China isn’t sucking down nearly as much oil as they had been, but if Iran goes unstable, it’ll have an effect.

Another summer of $4/gal prices may make the greener parts of the Dem party happy, but they’ll not make Obama any more popular with the Janes and Joes in the middle…

Mew

acat on June 23, 2009 at 8:46 AM

$4.00 per gallon will be bad enough but watch the price of diesel fuel. Last year at about this time it was $5.00 per gallon.

So what?

I defy you to name one thing in your house that has not been moved at some point by burning diesel fuel.

I can tell you from personal experience that $5.00 per gallon for any more than a short period is devastating. It is an expense that is exceedingly difficult for the transportation sector to pass along, let alone absorb.

That fact will go through the economy like s*** through a goose.

Daggett on June 23, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Daggett, condolences on a rough year. You’re far from alone in this… I know of several friends whose daily drives are around the same, and they were all hurting last year. One bought a motorcycle, one is moving, but the rest are just bearing up as best they can.

The brutal part is yet to come. A lot of trucking companies ran in the red last year hoping this year would be better – if prices for diesel spike like they did last year, they’ll just fold… and shipping costs will continue to rise, pushing everything shipped right along with ‘em.

This has the potential of getting really ugly….

Mew

WHO KNEW!

I think if anyone was wondering, that difference has been underscored this week by his timid response during the Iranian election protests…

Great as usual Karl

Karl – one other number to keep an eye on.

Gas prices.

I agree. Thanks to the unemployment problem, I was laid off and had to take a lower paying job an hour away. Thanks to the housing problem I can’t sell my house and move. So I now have a huge gasoline expense.

It’s going to be a real burden if the gas prices go up to $4 or more this summer. I can’t be the only one who has to deal with these things, and Obama is (rightfully) going to take some of the blame.

Gas prices.

Yes, China isn’t sucking down nearly as much oil as they had been, but if Iran goes unstable, it’ll have an effect.

Another summer of $4/gal prices may make the greener parts of the Dem party happy, but they’ll not make Obama any more popular with the Janes and Joes in the middle…

Mew