Happy days?

It’s no surprise, then, that the White House over the past few months has attempted to highlight any bit of good news as evidence that happy days will soon be here again.

The reality, however, is a bit more sobering.

On Thursday, researchers at UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research predicted slow but steady economic gains for Southern Nevada into the summer. Hardly a rip-roaring forecast. Tourism, the center noted, actually declined slightly in Clark County in December, hurting gambling revenues.

In addition, local construction activity remains well off from even the bad times of a year ago.

Meanwhile, as unemployment applications tumble nationally, Americans’ after-tax income fell in January, triggering the fourth straight month of feeble consumer spending, according to government numbers released this week.

The administration likes to tout strong job growth figures, but while some employers may indeed be hiring again, how much of the unemployment drop can be attributed to people who have given up trying to re-enter the workforce?

Growth in manufacturing slowed in February, which “does support our view that the economy is not quite as strong as recent data have led others to believe,” noted Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist with Capital Economics.

While there are pockets of encouraging signs, road bumps remain as the president enters his fourth year in office. It’s all the more reason why Republicans on the campaign trail this year must continue to emphasize their more market-oriented approach to job growth and the economy.