Slowing Economy May Give GOP An Edge

CandA · Site Admin Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 22

As the economy is likely to continue struggling throughout 2008, fiscally conservative candidates may see their popularity rise among citizens faced with an uncertain financial future. America finds itself in an economic position that should play right into the hands of Republican Presidential candidates and diminish the appeal of their spendthrift Democratic counterparts. As is typical during periods of sluggish growth and widespread recession fears, supply-side economic policies will prevail as the apropos prescription for an ailing economy. Also referred to (unfavorably) as "trickle down economics", these policies include tax-breaks for higher income individuals and corporations designed to foster saving and investment which fuel growth and productivity, ultimately leading to increased jobs, higher wages and a stronger economy. Democrats would find themselves in a much better position this campaign season were the economy strong and growth high, as it is during these times that a major concern becomes financial equality and fairness among citizens, a concern which plays into the hands of supporters of the redistribution of wealth and those that champion closing the gap between the low and upper income classes. It is fortunate for Republican candidates that the United States currently sits at the slow end of this politico-economic cycle which results in the seesawing of federal legislation between policies which promote economic efficiency (supported by Republicans) and policies which (on the surface) promote economic fairness (supported by Democrats). Should Republican candidates successfully leverage the financial worries of American citizens as the economy becomes the primary concern of voters, they may gain a significant advantage in the upcoming presidential election.