WHERE OBAMA STANDS – AT 9:39 P.M. ET:  Today's Gallup poll continues the drumbeat of bad news for the president.

Obama's approval stands at only 43%, but disapproval is at 50%.  These are not good reelection numbers.

By contrast, Rasmussen has Obama's approval at 46%, but disapproval at 53%. 

The economic news is constantly grim.  There seem to be no bright spots on which Mr. Obama can hang a claim.

But there are no guarantees here.  The Dems will try to picture the Republicans as anti-Social Security and anti-Medicare, and some blundering by Republicans, hardly unusual, can make those charges seem at least somewhat credible. 

We also wonder whether, with so much disapproval of both parties being voiced, there will be a movement toward a third party, or at least a third candidate in the race.  Remember that the 1992 was a three-way race between Bush 41, Bill Clinton, and Ross Perot.  It is widely believed that Perot's vote handed the election to Clinton.

June 23, 2011