Economic Grades for the 2008 Candidates
Brian Gongol has some original research on prospective 2008 presidential candidates and their economic views. The grading scale is very libertarian/pro-market and the graphic design ... um ... flawed. But it's interesting to see nonetheless.
Best grades: Chuck Hagel and John McCain. Worst: John Edwards and Barack Obama.
This seems to be pretty subjective on two fronts. First in that it only includes the economic issues that important to the reporter, and second in that it (seems to) grade them based on how much they agree with the reporter's opinion.
And what is the basis of the grade? I could tack your name on to the end of the list and give you grades of C, B, B, A, F, D and then all of a sudden you look like a viable presidential candidate.
Posted by: ChuckJerry on November 30, 2006 6:23 AM | permalinkYes, it's *extremely* specific to economics, and doesn't pretend to be otherwise.
An explanation of the grades is at the bottom of the page, e.g.:
Social Security reform:
* A - Supports private accounts, makes it a major campaign issue
* B - Supports private accounts but doesn't emphasize
* C - Supports reforms, but unclear about specifics
* D - Opposes private accounts but offers some savings alternatives
* F - Opposes private accounts, denies the problem
"This seems to be pretty subjective on two fronts"...
"Pretty" subjective? Isn't it, infact, just about the definition of subjective?
Posted by: Max on November 30, 2006 9:38 AM | permalinkNo it's not 100% subjective because he provides some objective criteria for the grades -- i.e. basing them on evidence.
It would be if he were to pick something like "how handsome" the candidates were and base it entirely on his own opinion, rather than candidate actions/statements.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on November 30, 2006 10:52 AM | permalinkDoes he mean the real free market or the free market that involves corporate welfare and laws made in favor of corporations at the expense of everyone else's rights and freedoms?
Posted by: Od*ll on November 30, 2006 6:06 PM | permalinkI'd imagine somewhere between idealism and cynicism. You'd have to ask Brian Gongol.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on November 30, 2006 9:03 PM | permalinkNo more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.