The last three Presidents of the United States were all elected to a second term in office. Let's examine the performance of the U.S. economy during their first term in office for each of the last three Presidents. Bill Clinton's first term was from January 1993 to January 1997. George Bush's first term was from January 2001 to January 2005. Barack Obama's first term was from January 2009 to January 2013. Using the information in the table below, which President do you think did a better job with respect to the three primary measures of economic performance during their first terms of office? Why? Note: For the real GDP and CPI data, you need to calculate the real GDP growth rate and the inflation rate. Be sure to show your work.
Real CPI - Urban Unemployment
Month/Year GDP 1982-84 = 100 Rate (National)
Jan. 1993 $9,267 billion 142.6 7.3%
Jan. 1997 $10,561 billion 159.1 5.3%
Jan. 2001 $12,560 billion 175.1 4.2%
Jan. 2005 $13,774 billion 190.7 5.3%
Jan. 2009 $14,830 billion 211.1 7.8%
Jan. 2013 $15,355 billion 230.3 8.0%