Democrats Fret Aloud Over Obama's Chances

Democrats at all levels are telling the New York Times that alarm is growing about President Barack Obama's re-election chances as a highly competitive 2012 Republican race lines up.

The two leading candidates, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, have executive experience and messages built around job creation.

And in a campaign cycle in which Democrats had entertained hopes of reversing losses from last year's midterm elections, some in the party fear that Mr. Obama's troubles could reverberate down the ballot into Congressional, state and local races.

"In my district, the enthusiasm for him has mostly evaporated," said Representative Peter A. DeFazio, Democrat of Oregon. "There is tremendous discontent with his direction."

The president's economic address last week offered a measure of solace to discouraged Democrats by employing an assertive and scrappy style that many supporters complain has been absent for the last year as he has struggled to rise above Washington gridlock. Several Democrats suggested that he watch a tape of the jobs speech over and over and use it as a guide until the election.

Just as Democrats called on the president to take action on the economy, this is a time for them to support their party leader in his hour of need. They should not desert him out of fear of guilt by association. Last we checked, congressional poll numbers weren't any better. 

Read more at the New York Times.

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