Then and Now

In November of 2010, at the time of the midterm elections, Obama's "strongly approve" numbers were running between 30 and 26 percent with an over all approval of 46%. His party was obliterated with the election of 86 new Republicans and just 10 new Democrats.

As things stand, one year later, his "strongly approve" numbers are averaging around 18 to 23 with over all approval numbers at or around 46% . Those who are strongly approving are those who work for his re-election and vote to that end.

Understand that the 2012 elections will not hang on the positive numbers of a growing economy. Those numbers are already there with room for great improvement, of course. No modern day president, after FDR, has been elected with unemployment numbers at or under 7.2%. Surely, the benchmark for Obama will be 8%, since that is the number for which Obama claimed responsibility. Predictive of another and even worse election for the Democrats?

But, the election will hinge on other factors, as well; there is the foreign policy factor, the housing factor, the scandal factor, the Israeli factor, the bomb bomb bomb Iran factor, and the jerk factor. He loses on all counts, no ?!