2012 doesn't look good for the President

It is far too early to write off President Barack Obama's chances of reelection in 2012. Still, in light of the November 2010 elections, the early call has to be that his chances are not particularly good.

For starters, conservative voters tend to be more true to their candidates than their liberal counterparts. Some political wags are also saying that Obama supporters are 'exhausted': he simply hasn't done enough good to merit continued support. Factor into this that the Tea party and the GOP clearly still have the momentum and 2012 cannot appear very bright for the Chief Executive.

The recent surge in popularity not withstanding, the fact is that the nation's view of Obama's economic policies is still under 50% positive. Taken along with the unprecedented growth of the national debt, this too bodes ill for the President.

The GOP will almost surely gain seats in the House in 2012, and should take the Senate. This may lead to a sort of backwards coattail effect will only help the GOP Presidential nominee. Then, too, we need to remember that in an election where the Democrats absolutely romped back in 2008, the President only won 53% of the vote. That his showing in his initial election was so comparatively poor (one wonders what might have happened with a stronger Republican than John McCain heading the ticket) must mean that his personal support was in truth somewhat shallow even then. Mr. Obama simply didn't rock and roll when so many lesser Democrats did. How can things go better for him facing a continued onslaught from 2010?

In short, the President's reelection bid looks bleak. All the better for the country.