That's just the name recognition power of incumbency. This time in 1980 when the economy was also in the tank and we had a bunch of hostages in Iran, and an impotent farce for president, said president was a good 8 to 10 points ahead of Reagan and looked like he was cruising to re-election.
Obama is the one who should be disturbed, because he is so well known, that everyone who is going to vote for him has already made up their minds. It will be very hard for him to crack 50% as election day draws nearer.
Keep your eye on the percentage of Undecideds. Historically, 80% of the Undecideds go for the challenger on Election Day. So, if by Nov. 1, it’s Obama 47%, Romney 47% and 6% Undecided, Romney will win with 51.5% to Obama’s 48.5%. That said........
The Electoral College is more important than the popular vote. To guarantee the Electoral Vote, the GOP MUST take back (from Obama) these States he took in 2008: Indiana, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Iowa. This is not only “doable” but I think it will happen. I also think it’s very likely that Romney will take Ohio. And, he just might take Wisconsin and Michigan.
I think Obama IS disturbed. That is why he wants us to ‘move on.” He is also insistent that this is NOT a tax. He wants it both ways . . . he wants to stick it to the taxpayer but he doesn’t want us to hold him responsible for the ways in which he does it.