Michael Barone, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report and national political analyst, said he expected to focus on the presidential candidates and the economy at the 2008 Economic Outlook Luncheon held Monday at ACU. Instead, Barone spoke in generalities about the candidates and voters in the upcoming election. "For one thing, I expected that the races for the democratic and republican presidential nominations would be over by February 5," said Barone. "I also read the national press commentary about the dreadful economy and so forth, and how America is falling apart. I see quite a different picture here in West Texas. I'm very impressed."
Barone delivered his message to a group of almost 400 guests from Abilene and surrounding communities. Those in attendance included Congressman Randy Neugebauer, State Representatives Susan King and Jim Keffer, Judge George Newman and other members of the Taylor County Commissioners Court, as well as Mayor Norm Archibald and other members of the Abilene City Council. The luncheon is hosted annually by ACU's Center for Building Community.
Ray Ferguson, former chairman of the Development Corporation of Abilene, also spoke and made comparisons between the local economy and the national economy. Ferguson said he believes that even though the country may show signs of an economic downturn, the Big Country may be better equipped to handle it.
Barone also provided some insight into today's voters. "By historical standards this economy, even if we are headed into a recession, is not a dreadful economy. But to today's voters, who over the last 25 years have experienced low inflation and economic growth 95 percent of the time, any decline or failure to advance in the economy, any problem with the economy, evidently seems major and they're negatively effected by it," said Barone.
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