Which Political Party Has Overseen The Highest Annualized Quarterly GDP Growth Since 1948?

Over the past couple of weeks, I've written articles that have examined deficit spending and unemployment rate totals based on which political party (Democrats or Republicans) is in control of the White House, Senate, House of Representatives or a combination of the three.

I have included links to those two articles below.

Tonight I am going to break down annualized quarterly GDP growth, from 1948 through to the second quarter of 2010, based on which party is in control of the White House, Senate or House of Representatives. I'll also look at some different combinations (for instance, annualized quarterly GDP growth when the Republicans hold both the Senate and the House, but a Democrat is in the White House).

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To start, let's keep it simple and break it down by President:

Democratic President
Total # of Quarters: 106
Average GDP Growth: 4.3%

Republican President
Total # of Quarters: 144
Average GDP Growth: 2.6%

Again - this is annualized quarterly GDP growth.

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By controlling Senate party:

Republican Controlled Senate
Total Quarters: 76
Average GDP Growth: 3.4%

Democratic Controlled Senate
Total Quarters: 174
Average GDP Growth: 3.3%

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By controlling House party:

Republican Controlled House
Total Quarters: 52
Average GDP Growth: 3.2%

Democratic Controlled House
Total Quarters: 198
Average GDP Growth: 3.3%

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When one party controls both the Senate and the House:

Republican Controlled House AND Senate
Total Quarters: 44
Average GDP Growth: 3.6%

Democratic Controlled House AND Senate
Total Quarters: 166
Average GDP Growth: 3.4%

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When one party controls the Senate, House and White House:

Republican Controlled House AND Senate AND Republican President
Total Quarters: 16
Average GDP Growth: 3%

Democratic Controlled House AND Senate AND Democratic President
Total Quarters: 78
Average GDP Growth: 4.4%

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When one party controls the Senate and House, but doesn't have the White House:

Republican Controlled House AND Senate, Democratic President
Total Quarters: 28
Average GDP Growth: 4%

Democratic Controlled House AND Senate, Republican President
Total Quarters: 88
Average GDP Growth: 2.6%

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Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis - National Economic Accounts

Other Links:

Davemanuel.com - Historical GDP Numbers in the United States

Davemanuel.com - Average Monthly Unemployment Rates by Party

Davemanuel.com - Average Monthly Inflation Adjusted Deficits by Party

Filed under: General Knowledge