The correct figure to use is the CBOâs analysis of the presidentâs 2013 budget, which clocks in at $3.72 trillion.
So this is what we end up with:
2008: $2.98 trillion
2009: $3.27 trillion
2010: $3.46 trillion
2011: $3.60 trillion
2012: $3.65 trillion
2013: $3.72 trillion
Under these figures, and using
this calculator, with 2008 as the base year and ending with 2012, the compound annual growth rate for Obamaâs spending starting in 2009 is
5.2 percent.
Or another way to look at it
One common way to measure federal spending is to compare it to the size of the overall U.S. economy. That at least puts the level into context, helping account for population growth, inflation and other factors that affect spending. Hereâs what the White Houseâs own budget documents show about spending as a percentage of the U.S. economy (gross domestic product):
2008: 20.8 percent
2009: 25.2 percent
2010: 24.1 percent
2011: 24.1 percent
2012: 24.3 percent
2013: 23.3 percent
In the post-war era, federal spending as a percentage of the U.S. economy has hovered around 20 percent, give or take a couple of percentage points.
Under Obama, it has hit highs not seen since the end of World War II â completely the opposite of the point asserted by Carney. Part of this, of course, is a consequence of the recession, but it is also the result of a sustained higher level of spending.
AK 47's same tired chart based on Nutting's incorrect analysis. Obama's 1.4% when calculated correctly is really 5.2%.
Quote from AK Forty Seven:
