Chief economist, Moody's Analytics
3 stories from The GOP Files, newest first. Last in the news Oct 29.
The Commerce Department says growth beat forecasts, the last big economic report before Tuesday's midterms. Prices are still rising well above the Fed's target, so the number may not change how many voters feel.
The latest official figure we could confirm puts the Iran war at $43.6 billion as of Sept. 3, and Senate Democrats say the real cost is being hidden. The bill lands seven days before the Nov. 3 midterms, with voters already angry about prices.
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said household spending data shows Americans are better off. Inflation, gas prices and consumer sentiment point the other way, and economists dispute his reading.
