Paul Krugman

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

And they just confirmed that there is no threat. A relief. — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

(I'm emeritus at Princeton, but get text alerts) — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

Happening now https://t.co/UTQ2Kik6pV https://t.co/t9wXgV37Rz — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

Last night. No hot takes on RBG, just grief https://t.co/09e8apG43j — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

Yes, of course Trump can still win. Maybe polling is systematically wrong; maybe whatever October surprise(s) he concocts will actually work, not backfire bc of lack of credibility. But the idea that fundamentals can come to his rescue at this late date seems far-fetched 5/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

So I have a hard time seeing the economy as a major factor. Meanwhile, don't look now, but coronavirus cases are plateauing or maybe even creeping up again. Hard to see much Trump upside there either 4/ https://t.co/0Q60R2z7SB — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

There will be a 3rd quarter GDP report, which will show big gains — but I think most people will realize that it's about the summer snapback, and not about whether we're making America great again again again 3/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

This means that there just isn't time for economic perceptions to change much. There will be only 1 more jobs report, based on data from *last week*; it will probably show gains, but at a slowing pace, and won't change anyone's mind (unless it's disastrous) 2/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

I have no idea what will happen in the election. But I keep seeing statements to the effect that Trump may have an upside if the economy is strong. People, the election is only 1 1/2 months away; some voting has already begun! 1/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

I think Dean Baker said about concerns over Chinese Treasury holdings, they have an empty water pistol pointed at our head — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

Biden hasn't received anything like the same treatment, at least so far. I guess there's still time for another massive media fail; and yes, there is a lot of racism out there. But not enough for Trump to transform the election by getting even more racist 5/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

But rather than acknowledge the crucial role of this peculiar coverage, post-election takes emphasized the appeal of prejudice. Reporters talked to guys in diners, not the suburban women scared off by the saturation coverage of the Comey letter 4/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

I mean, judging from media coverage the most important issue of 2016 was Hillary's email server; Trump's racism and dishonesty, while not ignored, were crowded out by breathless coverage of a fake scandal 3/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

After 2016 many in the media effectively reached the cynical conclusion that white Americans are very, very racist. And a lot of them (us) are. But remember that Trump barely squeaked through — and he wouldn't have gotten close without a lot of help from ... the news media 2/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

A lot of people in the news media seem baffled by the utter failure of Trump's law and order stuff to move the needle, at least if the polls are right. As many are now pointing out, 2020 isn't 1968; but why didn't everyone realize that? My answer is, examine thyself 1/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

The naked face of political amorality https://t.co/jFsin7YaCz — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

https://t.co/88XJPkh14s 2/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

This is really terrifying stuff. But nerdy gallows humor may still have a role. So remember, if they wheel this thing out, say "Klaatu Barada Nikto" 1/ https://t.co/pabJC51pcw — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

So how do I update the stories about catfish farmers or sugar producers? "Peter Navarro is a strange person" wouldn't be teachable material for an econ textbook even if the goal weren't to make it as apolitical as possible. So, struggling with the updates 6/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

But here's where I'm having trouble: to a first approximation, nobody wants the Trump trade war. A few US companies have benefited, but very little grassroots demand from either workers or corporations. By and large, this whole thing reflects Trump's personal obsessions 5/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

This chapter includes examples of policies that clearly reduced national income, but were adopted because they served particular well-connected groups. And you'd think it would be easy to update to the Trump era, which is a golden age of crony capitalism 4/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

I've been co-author of an intermediate textbook on international economics for many editions — I think we used stone axes to chisel out the first edition — and we've always included a ch on political economy of trade policy, emphasizing the importance of special interests 3/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

Not disagreeing with media organization, btw: with the fate of democracy on the line, even trade specialists have a hard time focusing on other stuff. But this offers an occasion for brief nerdy thread on a problem I'm having with textbook revision 2/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

You know, once upon a time — maybe even last year — the WTO ruling that the centerpiece of Trump's trade policy was illegitimate would have been considered major news. As it was, people barely noticed 1/ https://t.co/l8r5320sIs — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

I'm so old I remember when Obamacare was slavery https://t.co/FeWIbQHLNQ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

And there never will be. If you want to cover preexisting conditions, and don't want single-payer, any feasible plan ends up looking a lot like Obamacare. Which anyone paying attention has known for a decade. — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

That is, both make a Trump win something of a long shot, but not beyond a reasonable doubt. And given the stakes, even 14% is, let's face it, terrifying 2/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

As someone who has been following the Twitter sparring between @gelliottmorris and @NateSilver538 — actually pretty mild compared with a lot of academic arguments I've witnessed! — worth noting that they aren't that different at this point, 14% Trump v 23% 1/ — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

Since Trump is saying that "everyone owns stocks," a bit of data. Of course, he doesn't read data — but then he also doesn't interact with ordinary people either, except as part of adoring crowds https://t.co/0nWtiz3I3m — PolitiTweet.org

Paul Krugman @paulkrugman

I guess we'll see what he and Barr come up with for an October surprise. But making the economy great again again isn't going to cut it 9/ — PolitiTweet.org