President Obama's chances of winning a second term may have been downgraded... right along with this country's credit rating.
Consider the recent rough economic news facing the United States:
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- An unemployment rate that remains stubbornly above 9 percent
- A tumbling stock market... down more than 630 points today after a 513 point drop last Thursday
That historic downgrade in our credit rating - the first time ever in U.S. history and it happened on President Obama's watch.
There's also a possibility of a further downgrade if we don't straighten out our debt situation. And that's doubtful after watching the charades in Washington that passed for negotiations on the debt ceiling.
- Economic growth under 2 percent... with many worried we're headed for a double-dip recession
- Home values worth one-third less than they were five years ago.
- Only 58% of working age Americans in the labor force... that's the lowest in nearly 30 years.
- Consumer confidence at two year-lows... and polls showing majorities disapprove of president obama's handling of the economy.
All this is not lost on Republican candidates for 2012... they have already linked President Obama to the S&P credit downgrade and the weak economy and you can believe they will ramp up the criticism as the election gets closer.
Perhaps the only factor working in Mr. Obama's favor is he's got time... the election is still more than a year away.
Suffice it to say if the election was held today he would be back organizing communities.
If the president is going to turn this ship around, he better start soon. Americans who are out of work and seeing their life savings evaporate in the stock market probably don't have much patience left.
Here’s my question to you: Is the economy killing President Obama's chances of a second term?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
J.R. in Washington:
While I wouldn't rush to the polls to vote for Pres. Obama again at the moment, I am not exactly enthusiastic about the Republican candidates either. Which of the geniuses on the right would you like to see in office? Mitt “Hey Guys, I am unemployed too” Romney? How about Sarah “I can see Russia from my house” Palin? Oooh, I know lets go for Rick “Pray for a Solution” Perry! Sorry, Jack, unfortunately the Republican candidates basically ensure President Obama’s re-election at the moment.
Jason on Facebook:
Yes. He has been in office for more than two years now and is primarily responsible for not preparing, leading, and coming up with a solution to the problem. He is the CEO of this country and is ultimately responsible for whatever happens. Time for the board (the citizens) to make a change.
Dennis in North Carolina:
I think Obama will win a second term. Hopefully he will have a Congress who will work with him and not the Tea Party crazy people.
Dan:
If it is – I, for one, don't care. He was the first president to get a health plan passed. He was also in power as the first downgrade hit the U.S credit ratings. If we go into another recession, what are people going to remember the most?
Nick:
Listen to the president's comments today: I have a plan and I will tell you in two weeks. Oh, but the way I have two fundraisers tonight. The president with the thinnest resume in our country’s history. That's what you get.
Roy:
You got it backwards. It's not "Is the economy killing President Obama's chances?" It's "Is President Obama killing the economy?"