By The Numbers July 10, 2023July 9, 2023 Not original with me, but true: We’ve had 46 Presidents. They’ve been indicted on a total of 71 felony counts. Here’s how it breaks down: Presidents # of Felony Counts 1-44 0 45 71 46 0 Most Republicans think Ronald Reagan’s economy was terrific. After 8 years of his magic, the unemployment rate was 5.3% — versus today’s 3.6%. Inflation was the same 4% that it is today. So Joe Biden’s economy is perhaps even more terrific? A perpetually surprised media isn’t doing its job, argues Jennifer Rubin in the Washington Post: You might find it remarkable that outlets touting their economic foresightedness and keen analysis could be continually surprised about the economy’s strength after 29 consecutive months of job growth, inflation steadily declining, durable goods having been up for three consecutive months, 35,000 new infrastructure projects, an extended period in which real wages exceeded inflation and outsize gains for lower wage-earners. It’s as though outlets are so invested in the narrative of failure and imminent recession that reams of positive data have had little impact on their “narrative.” Part of the problem might be the media’s preference for political horse-race coverage over events on the ground. “What do voters think?” (about what? about the media’s own negative spin on the economy?) replaces “What is going on?” We have seen far too little coverage of the economic transformation in little towns, rural areas and aging metro centers brought about by new investment in plants, infrastructure projects and green energy related to the Chips Act. . . . So far. The once-Grand Old Party overwhelmingly favors him to reflect their values. Who wants their kids to grow up to be like Barack Obama (“be kind and be useful”) — or Joe Biden — when they can grow up to be like Donald Trump (“I’d like to punch him in the face”)?