The 2016 election season boggled the minds even of knowledgeable observers predisposed to expect the worst from political candidates. Contrary to the consensus of academic economists,1 Republicans made the following comments in various campaign venues in 2016:
“GDP was zero essentially for the last two quarters.” (Donald Trump during the March 10, 2016, GOP debate in Miami, Florida)
“Don’t believe those phony numbers when you hear 4.9 and 5 percent unemployment. The number’s probably 28, 29, as high as 35. In fact, I even heard recently 42 percent.” (Donald Trump during a February 9, 2016, victory speech after the New Hampshire primary)
“During the eight years under Ronald Reagan, African American median income rose by about $5,000.” (Sen. Ted Cruz during a February 3, 2016, town hall meeting in Henniker, NH)
“Obamacare is the biggest job killer in this
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