With less than a week left before the first presidential debate, both candidates remained focused today on persuading voters they can boost the economy. But a key question at the heart of it all, is the economy slowing, stalling, or perhaps even gaining strength in some ways? New data are sending conflicting signs. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney campaigned today at a military academy in Pennsylvania. Romney promised better jobs for young people like the cadets sitting behind him and a better future for the entire country. We 're in a very different road than what I think the people of the world expected for the United States of America. And if I 'm elected president of this country, I will get us back on a road of growth and prosperity and strength. Today, at a campaign event in Washington, President Obama shared a message of what he called economic patriotism tied to a strong middle class.But our problems can be solved.Our challenges can be met. We have still got the workers in the world, the best universities, the best scientists, the best -- we got the best stuff. We just got to bring it together. Consumer confidence is higher of late, and the president may be getting a boost from voter attitudes. An NBC News / Wall Street Journal poll out last week found 42 percent of Americans think the economy will improve in the next year.
