The always expected, and always unpleasant, mid-term blues has settled over the Obama Administration.
It's not simply one issue generating crosswinds: The Affordable Care Act's sloppy debut, mass disruption within the individual insurance market, a bipartisan Congressional threat to a delicate Iranian nuclear deal, a resurgent Al Qaeda in Iraq, and still tepid job numbers makes for restless nights at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Poll numbers reflect a restive electorate. President Obama remains well liked but has lost ground in the trust department as Obamacare implementation continues to generate negative headlines.
It is far too early to write this President off, however. Mr. Obama can turn it around, but must do so prior to a November election where his Senate majority will be put to the test in a number of high profile, red state Senate races.
A high profile legislative success or two would help. Possible opportunities include trade, patent protection, immigration, and a larger spending/tax reform agreement. Note, however, any and all legislative vehicles would require a degree of bipartisan cooperation rarely seen on Capitol Hill over the past five years.
Another reason to get something done in the short-term: the public (and media) will quickly shift focus to the 2016 election after November.
The views expressed here are those of the author, Robert L. Ehrlich, the former Governor of Maryland who also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.
-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich
