It's Not You, It's The Deficit

Is it possible that the economy improves, but Pres. Obama/Dems don't get the credit? If the question is, are you better off than you were in '08, the answer voters are giving today is mixed.

--Two new polls shows a public concerned about the growing deficit and unconvinced that Obama's policies have improved the economy. Yet a majority still approve of the job he's doing. How could this be? Americans like that Obama's focused on their No. 1 concern. But that doesn't mean they like what he's doing.

-- About 1/4 of those polled by WSJ/NBC (27%) said they like Obama personally but don't support his policies. Meanwhile, 53% say they're only somewhat or not at all confident that his policies will improve the economy.

-- One thing that could help improve Obama's standing: Get GM out of the news. Only 41% approved of his handling of Detroit - his lowest standing on any major issue. But, jobs are also big. The number of people who said they are "very concerned" about being jobless has risen 9 pts since 5/09, according to CBS/NYT. Will news today of the biggest drop in the unemployment rolls in 7 years change that?

-- Obama and the WH have set a very low bar when it comes to expectations for a speedy recovery. Will voters be willing to wait? Perhaps. But, only if they think that his policies are the right ones in the first place.