And while liberals have increasing reason to question Obama's performance on their litmus test issues, they also have increasing cause to wonder at his competence. His inability to be anything but a spectator -- and a sometimes disinterested one at that -- to BP's efforts to contain its oil spill and his obvious mismanagement of the Afghan War both raise questions about his abilities, concentration, focus and competence. These doubts further depress Democratic turnout and prospects.
With such scant reason to turn out and vote for Democrats in November, the additional evidence that the war in Afghanistan is turning into a quagmire will further depress the president's prospects.
The most recent Gallup Poll showed that while 51 percent of Republicans described themselves as "very enthusiastic" about voting in the coming midterm elections, only 28 percent of Democrats shared that level of commitment. The prospects for a Democratic turnout grow dimmer by the week and the chances of a Republican victory, capturing both houses of Congress, grow stronger.
Dick Morris and Eileen McGann
Dick Morris, a former political adviser to Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and President Bill Clinton, is the author of
2010: Take Back America. To get all of Dick Morris’s and Eileen McGann’s columns for free by email, go to
www.dickmorris.com