Joe Abate

The employment picture remains fairly grim, and that's having a dampening effect on measures of consumer confidence. And we have read more

The employment picture remains fairly grim, and that's having a dampening effect on measures of consumer confidence. And we have higher energy prices, which is another drag on consumer confidence and a 'tax' on consumer spending.

We are talking about an economy averaging about 30 miles per hour in a 60-mph speed zone. That keeps pressure read more

We are talking about an economy averaging about 30 miles per hour in a 60-mph speed zone. That keeps pressure on the unemployment rate, forcing it to continue to rise. By summer, we could have 6.4 percent unemployment.

In the long run, crowding out tends to mitigate the effects of fiscal policy.

In the long run, crowding out tends to mitigate the effects of fiscal policy.

It'll be a solid number, but it won't post the 8.2 percent growth we saw for the third quarter.

It'll be a solid number, but it won't post the 8.2 percent growth we saw for the third quarter.

The odds are that things are going to be a little stronger than people anticipate in another month or so. read more

The odds are that things are going to be a little stronger than people anticipate in another month or so. With the exception of the labor market data, which will continue to stink.