Economists give Obama a 'D'

When it comes to handling the economy, neither Obama nor Congress make the grade. Responding to a survey, 20 economists gave the Obama administration and the current Congress a "D" for their poor performance on the economy. "Eleventh-hour decisions and kicking the can down the road do not provide certainty to businesses and individuals," said David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders. "As a result, economic decisions will also be postponed or made on the basis of the most conservative expectations without better indication of the future." Crowe is one of 10 economists to give the same grades to both the Obama administration and Congress. He gave each a grade of D. Sean Snaith, economics professor at the University of Central Florida, gave the failing grade to Obama, blaming overreach by the administration. But if economists were disappointed in the White House, many are far angrier with the partisan gridlock in the current Congress. Several economists said Congress was more interested in scoring political points than in helping the economy. "The administration and Congress share the same economic record," said Keith Hembre, chief economist forCanon T3i 18.0MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm IS Lens - Digital Nuveen Asset Management in Minneapolis.