National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett rejected polls showing deep dissatisfaction with the economy, arguing that consumer behavior presents a stronger picture of confidence as the midterm elections approach. Personal consumption expenditures rose 0.9% in August, or $190.8 billion, while retail and food-service sales increased 1.2% from July and 6% from a year earlier. Hassett also pointed to retailers’ performance, low credit-card defaults and positive GDP growth, including a final estimate of 2.2% annualized growth in the second quarter and an earlier estimate of 4% to 5% growth in the third quarter. Polling nevertheless showed broad frustration: an AP-NORC survey found 26% approved of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy, 17% approved of his handling of living costs and 65% said his policies contributed to unusually high prices. Consumer prices rose 3.4% year over year in August, while September payroll growth slowed to 29,000 jobs and unemployment reached 4.2%. Energy costs, including regular gasoline at $4.465 and diesel at $6.382 on Sept. 28, remain a central affordability issue.