Obama Starting to Take Blame for Economy

Barack Obama’s health care victory doesn't seem to have helped him with voters struggling in the recession. (The president isn't much bothered by the early polls.) In a new USA Today/Gallup poll, roughly 50% said Obama deserved at least some blame for the economy, with 26% saying he deserved a “great deal”—almost twice last year’s total. The result: 50% say he doesn’t deserve re-election.

Obama’s ratings also declined in major personality categories: fewer think he is a decisive leader, fewer think he understands the problems regular Americans face, and for the first time since the election, a majority did not agree that he shared their values or could operate the government effectively. Still, 52% have a favorable view of Obama, which is miles better than any congressional leader from either party—Nancy Pelosi comes the closest with 36%.