>I have seen published reports that the recession started around the 4th quarter of 2000 and the previous economic growth started in 1992 wich lasted about 8 years. I care not to go research and point to web sites as that was not really my point. I did however point to the OMB figures which do address my point.

The recession actually begain in March of 2001:

http://www.nber.com/cycles/recessions.html

This document does support your assertion that the economy was improvingin 1991 under Bush 41.

>My point was that it is a myth that Clinton reduced the Federal deficit. I do agree that he did slow its growth. It is irrelevant whether or not he submitted a balanced budget to Congress. Those are always DOA regardless of who the Prez is. That is why I NEVER give ANY Prez much credit [if any] for economic growth or recessions. Congress has way too much control over the budget, the Fed Reserve over interest rates, etc., all of which influence economies more than any Prez can. About the only leverage the Prez has is the VETO which they use too little of.

While I agree that no budget submitted by a president makes it through Congress unscathed, it is certainly a guideline. When a president makes fiscal discipline a priority in the budget he submits to Congress, it carries as much weight as a president who proposes large tax cuts.