Economy.

10 percent unemployment. When it crossed that threshold, it was going to be bad news for the president.

Kind of miffed that this was spashed across the site as "Breaking News." I guess it was inevitable, and every outlet will feel compelled to cover it as newsworthy.

If you've been following the Gallup tracking on this site, you'll notice that the poll can fluctuate by up to three points from day to day, possibly reflecting statistical noise. So if Obama hovers at or near 50 and then shows a typical point fluctuation that takes him below an arbitrary line, it's suddenly a big story. Ho hum. But that's the media reality we live in.

Eric almost beat Drudge for posting this!

Take on vexed problems and this is what happens.

If Obama's approval ratings were still at stratospheric, inaugeration levels, it would surely be a sign that he wasn't serious about bringing about real change.

The power of Rush Limbaugh yet again.

/snark

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/19/limbaugh-accuses-gallup-of-counting-too-many-blacks-in-polls-on/

if i could give you a little advice - you are a very likable person, however you were elected to lead. to much getting the world and america to like you and not enough getting behind a vision for america and communicating that vision and fighting for something, anything in the public arena and not behind closed doors. when you fight behind the scenes, it makes you seem like an old democrat or a senator - sneaky and flaky. being president, you are in a battle of ideas and you do not need to battle the naysayers head on but you do need to offer an alternative vision

Whatever.

There seems to be a problem with this article. It says that "every president since World War II, except for John F. Kennedy, eventually went below 50%." Fine. But then it attempts to describe which Presidents went below 50% for the shortest period and which for the longest. It says the longest was Eisenhower "(except for Kennedy, and his tragically shortened administration)". How can Eisenhower be the longest (except for Kennedy) if Kennedy NEVER went below 50%? Secondly, it says that Eisenhower was below 50% for "63 months, the only president to last through a full first term above 50%." Well, if he was above 50 for his "full first term", that only leaves his second full term to be below 50. That term was 48 months. So how, exactly, did he achieve 63 months below 50? It makes no sense at all. Editor, please.

As much as I despise the dishonest obstructionist deeply out of touch Republican party, if I were to be polled as to whether I approve of the job Obama is doing, I'd have to take a moment. On many things good, but some of the larger progressive issues, not so much. Still allowing legal discrimination against gay sexual orientation. Still got Gitmo. Still in Iraq. Not tough enough with Israel. Not leading the discussion on HC persistently. Allowing Pakistan to squander billion of US $, while protecting Taliban in it's own territory. Lot on the plate I know, but he does seem to be trying t be as safe as possible on some issues.