. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=&e=7&u=/ap/20031228/ap_on_bi_ge/economic_outlook_1 WASHINGTON - For the U.S. economy, 2004 could turn out to be a banner year.
Forecasters believe things are falling into place to produce the strongest economic growth in two decades. Consumer spending will be bolstered by tax refund checks early in the year. Businesses are finally beginning to invest in new plants and equipment and rehiring some laid off workers, though improvements in the unemployment rate are expected to be modest.
"The economy is off and running, and 2004 should be a very good year," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Economy.com.
That should be welcome news for President Bush and other incumbents who face voters next year. Many analysts believe the overall economy, as measured by gross domestic product, will expand next year by 4.6 percent or more, the biggest gain since 1984, when another Republican president, Ronald Reagan, was running for office.
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