THE NUMBERS CONTINUE SOUTH - AT 9:47 A.M. ET:  President Obama's numbers, that is.  From the Washington Post:

As President Obama arrives in Copenhagen hoping to seal an elusive deal on climate change, his approval rating on dealing with global warming has crumbled at home and there is broad opposition to spending taxpayer money to encourage developing nations to curtail their energy use, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Has the White House noticed?  Has someone sent them an e-mail about this?  A note printed on non-acidic paper with "Save the Liberals" printed on the bottom?

Around the 100-day mark of Obama's presidency, 61 percent approved of the way he was dealing with the issue. Approval slumped to 54 percent in June and to 45 percent in the new poll.

The drop in Obama's ratings has been driven by a steep slump among political independents, who went from 62 percent positive in April to 36 percent now.

There is still public support for effective action to protect the environment and reduce emissions, but thatr support drops when some of the details of proposed programs, especially aid to foreign nations, is revealed.

And today's Rasmussen tracker brings no relief to the president who came to office on a wave of quasi-religious fervor.  Only 44% approve of the job Mr. Obama is doing, whereas 54% disapprove. 

The president, as we noted earlier, is in Copenhagen, where he's probably more popular than he is at home.  We wonder whether the thought "one term, then travel" is crossing his mind.

December 18, 2009