In a discussion of Senator McCain's support for NAFTA, the Post told its readers that readers that: "The disagreement on trade is emblematic of disputes the two candidates have on other economic issues, with McCain offering a pro-growth, anti-regulation vision and Obama proposing a variety of measures to help Americans deal with immediate pocketbook issues." This quote implies that, in contrast to Senator McCain, Senator Obama does not support policies that foster growth. This is not true. The track record of Democratic presidents in promoting growth over the post-World War II period has on average been better than that of Republicans. (Here's the story for the Bush business cycle.) While this is undoubtedly in part luck, it is unfair for the Post to imply that McCain's tax cutting will produce growth while Obama's plans for rebuilding the infrastructure and fixing the health care system will not. [Thanks to a BTP reader for this tip.]
--Dean Baker
