I assume this must be part of what The ObamaConArtist "inherited" from
the Evil Republicans, because whenever it's good news, it's The
ObamaTapDancer "saving us from the brink of the Second Great
Depression."  Someone should consider the possibility that moving funds
out of the private sector for a redistribution relief bill that pays off
Democratic Party interests doesn't actually stimulate economic activity.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091027/ap_on_bi_ge/us_economy

Oct. consumer confidence slips unexpectedly
By ASHLEY M. HEHER, AP Retail Writer
Tue Oct 27, 10:13 am ET

CHICAGO – Consumer's confidence about the U.S. economy fell unexpectedly
in October as job prospects remained bleak, a private research group
said Tuesday, fueling speculation that an already gloomy holiday
shopping forecast could worsen.

The Consumer Confidence Index, released by The Conference Board, sank
unexpectedly to 47.7 in October — its second-lowest recording since May.

Wall Street analysts predicted a reading of 53.1.

A reading above 90 means the economy is on solid footing. Above 100
signals strong growth.

The index has seesawed since reaching a historic low of 25.3 in February
and climbed to 53.4 in September.

Shoppers have a grim outlook for the future, The Conference Board said,
expecting a worsening business climate, fewer jobs and lower salaries.
That's particularly bad news for retailers who depend on the holiday
shopping season for a hefty share of their annual revenue.

"Consumers also remain quite pessimistic about their future earnings, a
sentiment that will likely constrain spending during the holidays," said
Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board's Consumer Research Center.

Economists expect holiday sales to be at best flat from a year ago,
which saw the biggest declines since at least 1967 when the Commerce
Department started collecting the data.