Economists Support McCain

This Politico article describes economists’ support for McCain.  The article describes how 300 economists support McCain’s Jobs for America plan.  McCain’s press statement, which includes the statement and the list of economists who signed on (Lawrence was suprised to find some signatories from an institution near and dear to his heart.), is here.  The full 15 page plan is here.  Should we abandon our rational analysis of the policies of McCain and Obama, because 300 of our (future) peers endorse McCain’s economic plan?  First and foremost, no.  To abandon our analysis is foolish.  At the Three Economist’s Blog we arrive at our own conclusions!  If anything, this overwhelming endorsement should warrant an even closer inspection, lest we become ensared by groupthink.  Besides, when did someone telling you what to think make you want to actually think that?  Second, the economists’ endorsement (not to be confused with The Economist’s, they have yet to make one) was only with respect to the general ideas of McCain’s plan.  As the article states, economists only signed onto a 403 word statement, which did not mention all the specific proposals outlined in McCain’s more detailed “Jobs for America” plan.  If anything this endorsement is only illustrative of the much encountered situation, “I agree with you in principle, but…”