One may know what the answer should be, may even know what the “correct” answer is, but there are just too many variables to make any predictions with any accuracy.

Except for some economic disasters, like the one we’re headed for with the loonies running the asylum.

“• U.S. economy appears poised to start growing again”

Didn’t they just report that jobless claims went UP more than expected a day or two ago? Now this?

Tell a lie often enough……….

Headline: “Democrats Correct: It IS The Economy, Stupid!”

Headline: Nearly Everyone Unemployed As Economic Disaster Continues Speeding Country Toward Total Destruction

The worst part is, these should be today’s headlines, with “Republicans” inserted for “Democrats” in the second one, but you’ll never see it from the Barry-worshippers.

Economy Locked in Sharp Decline

by Mwalimu Daudi (AP)

There is a huge difference between campaigning and governing, as John McCain is learning.

The economy sank at a pace of 1 percent in the second quarter of the year, a new government report shows. It was a worse-than-expected showing that provided the strongest signal yet that the longest economic slowdown since the Great Depression is showing no signs of abating.

The dip in gross domestic product for the April-to-June period, reported by the Commerce Department on Friday, comes after the economy was in a free fall, tumbling at an annual rate of 6.4 percent in the first three months of this year. That was the sharpest downhill slide in nearly three decades.

The economy has now contracted for a record four straight quarters for the first time on records dating to 1947. That underscores the grim toll of the recession on consumers and companies.

Many economists were predicting a much smaller contraction in second-quarter GDP. It’s the total value of all goods and services — such as cars and clothes and makeup and machinery — produced within the United States and is the best barometer of the country’s economic health.

There was no sign of a letup in drastic spending cuts by businesses, and the failure of the GOP’s 787 billion-dollar stimulus bill to show any positive effect combined with a bleak trade picture were key forces behind the surprisingly bad performance. Even consumers, an important component to any recovery, pulled back in their confidence. Rising unemployment, shrunken nest eggs and lower home values have weighed down their spending.

The flailing economy is behind McCain’s sharp slide in the polls. Last week Rasmussen showed McCain at 49% positive to 51% negative.

But an economy sliding into a full-scale depression is not McCain’s only headache. His Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is in hot water for her “wise Latina” comments, and a growing number of experts predict that she will not be confirmed. North Korea continues its march towards nuclear ICBMs, and the Iranian crackdown on pro-democracy protesters provoked only a feeble response from the McCain administration.

Last week, in response to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Mr. McCain created a firestorm of controversy by saying, “I don’t want to comment until I have all of the facts.” The remark, which was made at a widely panned prime-time press conference, caused anger among civil rights activists and growing concern among Republicans that McCain may not be up to the job of being President.

“Of course a President needs all of the facts before he makes a decision,” said General Colin Powell, a prominent Republican who is a close friend to McCain. “But John has a responsibility to lead and take action. Right now he is not leading.”

In an effort at damage control, McCain sought to invite Gates to the White House for what aides called “a beer and a chat” (Gates has refused the invitation). Attorney General Lindsey Graham launched a civil rights investigation against the Cambrige police department. Under Justice Department pressure, Graham also called for the suspension of the police officers involved in what is rapidly becoming America’s most serious racial crisis since the Rodney Kink beating of 1991.

Sorry..couldn’t resist.