The margins story is better than expected. Things are getting better for manufacturers.

If the rise in petrol prices in the producer-price data is reflected in the CPI data, there is a risk the inflation rate could be 2.2 percent.

We might not see retail sales numbers that are that strong yet, but they will pick up toward the end of the year.

We are seeing a gentle recovery going on in retail sales at this stage, which I expect to get stronger going forward. The pickup in the housing market should have a general wealth effect, making consumers happier to go out and spend.

To me, Bush is saying, 'I agree with the Democrats that the federal government ought to have an activist role.' He's becoming Democrat-light.

Gore is still in pretty good position for the primaries. But people are still fretting about his general election numbers.