Economy? What Economy?

The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew at 8.2% this past quarter -- the best rate in twenty years. The consumer confidence index surged to 91.7. Unemployment continues to fall, now to 6%, the manufacturing activity index has been soaring, and all -- literally, all other leading economic indicators have been rebounding and showing continuous growth in the past year.

Better yet, at least as far as Bush is concerned, economists are able to draw straight lines from Bush's economic recovery packages and tax cuts to the incredible turnaround.

So, will any of the President's opponents who claimed the economy had been "Bushwhacked" like to change their positions now? Of course not. In fact, last night's Democratic candidate debate illustrated quite clearly what the anti-Bush battalion will do -- stop talking about the economy completely. That's right, after months and months of blaming Bush for the economic slowdown (which could not have been caused by Bush anyway, since none of his policies had yet taken effect), now that there is demonstrative, unwavering, and consistent evidence month after month that the economy is rebounding in record fashion (after Bush's initiatives had taken effect), no one is saying a word. Not in the debates, not on the campaign trail, no longer, nowhere, no one. They are, quite simply, acting as if the economy doesn't exist, pretending the turnaround isn't happening, and secretly (or even outwardly) praying that it's all just a temporary bubble, that the economy will dutifully collapse in time for the election, so they can have their precious voter-seducing issue back.

Now that's leadership.