Dems Tout Claim: 'Best-Looking Contraction in U.S. GDP You'll Ever See'

In response to the news today that the economy contracted -.1 percent in the final quarter of last year, Democrats are touting the claim that this is "the best-looking contraction in U.S. GDP you'll ever see." The claim was originally made by chief U.S. economist for Capital Economics Paul Ashworth.

"The drag from defense spending and inventories is a one-off. The rest of the report is all encouraging," Ashworth also claimed.

The claim was quickly seized upon by Democrats, looking to share good news about a contracting economy. 

Democratic party communications director Brad Woodhouse quickly began spreading the word on Twitter:

Paul Ashworth at Capital Economics called it “The best-looking contraction in U.S. GDP you’ll ever see.” wapo.st/VnIaCt

— Brad Woodhouse (@woodhouseb) January 30, 2013