A year ago, we brought you an analysis of the forces that appeared likely to shape the U.S. economy, for better and worse, in 2013. So, what did we get right and what did we get wrong? And of the things we posed as open questions, what did the answers turn out to be? Here, in the interest of pundit accountability, is a look at our 2013 economic outlook, with the lovely benefit of hindsight:
• "Will 2013 bring a genuine, no-holds-barred recovery?" This was the headline on the piece in which we asked, "Will this be the year that the economy finally breaks out of its pattern of sluggish growth that has held since the recession ended in 2009?" The answer is a resounding no. On jobs, for example, the nation added an average of 183,000 a month in 2012 — and 189,000 a month through the first 11 months of 2013. Gross domestic product grew 2.8 percent in 2012 and averaged a 2.6 percent annual pace of growth through the first three quarters of 2013.
There is no dispute: In terms of overall growth rates, 2013 was a more-of-the-same kind of year.