It's the Economy, Stupid

This year's presidential campaign is supposedly about the economy, but economic indicators make political predictions more confusing than ever. Consumer confidence is on the rise, for example, but consumer spending is on the decline. Does that favor Obama, Romney — or is it a draw? Is economic uncertainty one reason that neither candidate has been very specific about plans for economic improvement? We compare what they have said and how they stand in the latest polls. Whatever the numbers show now, how long will they last?