Preliminary estimates indicate GDP growth was a disappointing 2.8 percent in the fourth quarter-analysts had expected 3.2 percent.

A huge jump in inventories accounted for 65 percent of all growth, indicating perilous overstocking. Consumers are expected to pull back a bit in the first quarter owing to mounting credit card debt.

Dr. Peter Morici
Professor
Robert H. Smith
School of Business

Over stocking in the fourth quarter plus slower consumer spending, indicate growth will likely be less than 2 percent in the first quarter of 2012-my forecast is 1.8 percent.

Additional imports continued to be a big drag on growth-subtracting about three quarters of a percentage point, and more than additional exports added to growth.

Unresolved structural problems-trade with China, President Obama's lockdown on domestic oil production, unresolved consumer debt issues-i.e., too may mortgages underwater-and rising health care costs continue to boost the trade deficit, slow consumer spending and hold back growth.

Jobs growth lags GDP and will likely remain near December's encouraging level when the January data comes out next Friday. However, look for jobs growth to slow and drag on Mr. Obama's popularity during the critical spring and summer campaigning season.

General elections are generally decided by Labor Day-those polls usually indicate the winner as the ever longer campaign season hardens voters attitudes about candidates by fall.

Peter Morici is a professor at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, and former Chief Economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission.