"indicators Point to" economic growth is as close as the NYT would ever come to saying there is a good economy when a Republican is in the White House.
Just think: a few more busloads of union-funded thugs and serial voters in Cleveland, and they would be calling it the "Kerry Recovery."
It seems the economy is strongest in the Midwest and the old 'Rust Belt' states. These are where the Dems need to win big if they want either house of congress back.