CNN poll taken since downgrade shows President Obama's approval dropping...

[jefferson_dem]

one point. :)

He's at 44% now (August 5-7), which is exactly -1 since last week and -1 since July 18.

There are troubling signs, however. Obama's rating on the economy stands at 34% and unemployment is at 37%.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/08/08/poll2.aug8.pdf

[elocs]

1. If the economy is not significantly better by next summer, Obama will be in trouble.

It's likely he would still win, but if Republicans go with someone not severely extreme (we consider all Republicans extreme, as they do us) and Liberal Democrats are still pissed at Obama, then all bets are off.

I am in Wisconsin, so believe me, it will suck big time to have Republicans control everything, including the Supreme Court.

[gateley]

2. The problem is, regardless of whether a President is responsible

for a situation, if it occurs "on his watch", he owns it. :(

As someone was saying today (Howard Fineman?) there's a long time between now and the election, so we can hope that somehow, some way, things improve for those who are currently hurting.

[pscot]

3. He came in to office apparently channeling Milton Friedman

I don't think he knows what he's doing.

[griffi94]

4. the thing i don't see

is how things get better.
what's different now that wasn't different last year that will have a positive effect.
unemployment is still sky high many are homeless or about to be.
i mean what...besides tinkering around the edges has been done to really help the middle class.
nafta hasn't been repealed..unions are still under attack...the wealthy are still not paying taxes.

my parents are repugs and leading into the 08 election they kept saying that maybe things would turn around before nov.
how do things turn around when washington keeps doing the same things that haven't ever worked.
it took 30 years but we've finally hit critical mass.

imho nothing is going to improve without a major shake up to the status quo, and sadly neither party seems to want to do that.

[gateley]

5. You know, I keep thinking about Chris Matthews saying "Jobs

program! FDR!" and I don't understand why we don't try something like that now. I understand the times have changed, but peoples' needs haven't.

Jan Schakowsky is going to introduce a bill in Congress tomorrow proposing something similar, paid for by revenue from letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire.

I know it's impossible getting ANYTHING through Congress (especially tax "hikes") but if we could somehow get the message to the people who it could help, to be able exert pressure on their representatives.

As I type this, I've got a sinking feeling - that'll never happen.

I don't know, but I somehow keep believing that so many good people are hurting now, I just can't bear to give up hope and want the healing to begin. :(

[woolldog]

6. Good lord!

I mean who cares? I swear there could be a nuclear missle on the way to the US, and some of you on here would be more concerned about how it'd impact obamas approval rating. The world is in the middle of a global economic meltdown and you're celebrating that it's not impacting a politicians approval rating?!

That's really sick.

[jefferson_dem]

8. We all know you don't care about whether Obama is re-elected ...

or if he's replaced by a teabagger.

No worries. Now...Go find another thread to get concerned in.

[Fearless]

7. His latest stance on Medicare will make it drop like a rock no doubt.

I always new Bush destroyed America's credibility, economy, and the Republican Party. Clearly Obama wanted to match him with SS, Medicare, and the Democratic Party. Shame on him.

[shellgame26]

9. Oh you mean

Like when you claimed during the debt crisis that he had caved on Medicare/ S.S? Hmmmmm...didn't happen now did it? Why should anyone believe your hyperbole? Such a shame...

[Fearless]

10. Actually it did. Maybe you want to go check that out.

There will be slashes to Medicare. That is part of the initial cuts and will probably happen again for the latter cuts.

[Fearless]

11. And then on Medicaid... Read this...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/us/politics/09medicaid.html?_r=1