The best issue the President has going for him is still George W Bush...

[kentuck]

Republicans leaders laugh and brush it off when they are asked who is to blame for the bad economy. They point out that Barack Obama has been in office for almost 3 years and at some time he has to accept responsibility for the economy.

However, in a recent AP/GFK poll, 51% of respondents still blamed George W Bush for the bad times. Only 31% blamed Barack Obama. This is the one bright spot the Obama team can glean from all the bad news that is happening.

The President doesn't have to push the blame Bush mantra down people's throats, they believe GWB and the Repubs are still to blame for the terrible downturn in our economy and that the President obviously has not had time to fix it. This could still save the President in the next election. Especially since the popularity of the Congress is at an all-time high. There will be no Congressional coattails for Republicans to grab. Their only hope is to get a nominee that the Republicans can get behind. Otherwise, the lingering unpopularity of George W Bush could spell their doom in the next election.

Is Rick Perry the Republican that can unite the Republicans? Or is he too divisive even for Karl Rove? A Romney or Huntsman-type candidate would probably be the toughest for Obama to beat?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/kimbanyc/perry-surges-ahead-in-new_n_935624_104777501.html

[treestar]

1. No President is ever responsible for the economy

The current problems are world wide, too. It is so easy just to focus on any President and blame him for everything.

[emulatorloo]

2. I saw polling yesterday that people are beginning to understand how bad Republican obstructionism

has been. Although people dislike Congress, they are starting to put most of the blame on Republicans for gridlock.