For Immediate Release
May 30, 2008
David Scannell
(603) 225-6899
 

Plunge in Consumer Confidence Attributable to Bush Economic Policies
 
Expect 'More of Same' with McCain, Says Dem Party Chair

 
(Concord) -The recent plunge in consumer confidence among New Hampshire residents is directly attributable to "the failed economic policies of the Bush administration," according to Raymond Buckley, chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. Buckley was reacting to a poll released today by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center that found consumer confidence in the state to be the lowest in 7 years.
 
Buckley cited the recent spike in gas prices as an example of "President Bush's failure to create an economic environment that meets the needs of New Hampshire's working families" and he predicted that "things will not get any better " in a McCain administration.  "Given Sen. McCain's  admission that 'economics is something that (he has) never really understood,' I am very concerned about the future, and the people of New Hampshire are, too," he said.  "New Hampshire residents cannot afford the third Bush term that a McCain administration would provide.  It is going to be just more of the same," he added.
 
The UNH poll found that only 12 percent of New Hampshire residents thought the country would experience good economic times in coming months, while 70 percent were pessimistic about the economy in the future.
 
Buckley contrasted Bush's economic record with that of Gov. John Lynch.
 
"In April, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in New Hampshire fell to 3.8 percent.  That's well below the 5 percent rate nationally. Clearly, John Lynch is doing what needs to be done.  It would be nice to get a little help from the federal government, but that will not happen with someone who admits to being ill-equipped to deal with the complexities of the national economy, " Buckley said.