And, insofar as short-term economic indicators are reliable, the streak goes on.

"Though it is obscured by bright short-term economic indicators, the underlying situation is that much of our industry no longer competes as effectively as it once did."

"If the American people avert their eyes from the storm clouds on the horizon and only look at the short-term economic indicators, this report may be good for Bush," said the adviser, Robert B. Reich, a Harvard professor of political economy and management.