Obama's Continued Popularity has Plunged Faster than Bush's

President Obama's popularity rating in December and January polls has plummeted faster than former President Bush's at the same juncture of their presidency. In my new book How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge, I predicted that Obama's popularity ratings would drop fast. However, I contend that the war, the economy, and health care reform were important in Obama's popularity plunge. But, they aren't the only reason for the drop."

Obama is a victim of his own rhetoric of hope and change. This is a point that I make in How Obama Won. Obama revved up people's expectations of immediate change on everything from the economy to the wars. Throughout the years, as I have studied politics in the United States, it is clear that a president's performance could never match that rhetoric.

The problem is that Obama tapped into the public's deep seated frustration and disgust with politics and politicians. I noted that once the tap was made, the public expected Obama to be different and act different than other politicians. But, history shows the reality is that he's no different which is a prescription for personal and political failure.

I further predict that Obama's popularity numbers will continue to plunge in 2010 and that the Democrats will be mortally hurt in the year's mid-term elections.

In How Obama Won, I give a no holds barred assessment of the make and break issues that confront Obama in 2010. These are the issues that will determine whether Obama can really deliver on his lofty promise of hope and change.

How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge (Middle Passage Press, Los Angeles, 2010) 5517 Secrest Dr. Los Angeles, Ca, 90043 323-296-6331

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His latest book, How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge (Middle Passage Press) is NOW available - https://www.amazon.com/How-Obama-Governed-Crisis-Challenge/dp/1439259925