Freakonomics’ Stephen Dubner: Who Is President Matters Much Less Than We Think

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Americans will head to the polls to elect the next President of the United States. Millions of dollars have already been spent on the election. Super PACs representing both President Obama and the Republican presidential candidates are experiencing a flood of monetary contributions while Americans are witnessing firsthand the effects of unlimited donations on their televisions and radio airwaves.

As the election nears, the records of both President Obama and his Republican Party challenger will be analyzed and scrutinized over and over again. Voters will decide who they think will do a better job not only governing the nation but also of leading it out of economic disaster.

But does the President have as much influence over the nation – and specifically the economy – as the electorate thinks he does?

“The president generally matters so much less than we think,” says journalist and Freakonomics Author Stephen Dubner. “Especially when it comes to the economy.”

Read the rest here (or watch the video).