CATASTROPHIC - AT 9:48 A.M. ET:  For the second day in a row, Mr. Obama's standing in Rasmussen's presdiential approval index has hit a new low.  This is getting serious:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 23% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -19.

Today is the second straight day that Obama’s Approval Index rating has fallen to a new low. Prior to the past two days, the Approval Index had never fallen below -15 during Obama’s time in office.

And yet, in overall approval, the numbers have hardly budged:

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove.

Rasmussen's report indictates that domestic issues are dominating public concern - anger over the Democratic health-care plan, which is profoundly unpopular, and opposition to extreme environmental legislation.  The president appears to be getting the blame for the out-of-control branch of his party, which plunges ahead despite public opposition.

American politics is normally played between the 40-yard lines.  If you stray, the American people push you back.  Some people have an image of Ronald Reagan as an ideological president, but, in fact, he knew how to maneuver politically, and governed center-right. 

I wouldn't be shocked to see the president move toward the center - we've made this point before - sacrificing his party's fringe in exchange for the much larger bloc of votes in the center.

December 12, 2009