I hate to say it, but the Carville mantra is spot on:
IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!!!
Please note the last word of the last sentence is not directed at you, ML...LOL!
A number of people have said this, and they’re not necessarily wrong in my opinion. I just think that the two issues cannot be separated - see my post #7. I probably should have been clearer in my original post.
Don’t worry, I’m familiar with the expression - I didn’t take it personally. ;)