Trials and Tribulations Ahead of the Sitting President

Although President Barack Obama won the 2008 election by a comfortable margin -- capturing states that have for decades been Republican strongholds -- and has thus far raised almost $100 million for the 2012 campaign, reelection may not necessarily come so easy.

The Washington Post released an article on October 17th written by Rachel Weiner that describes the kind of press given to each of the candidates in the 2012 presidential contest. In reality, the article heralds no good news for President Obama, as Weiner cites a study by the Pew Research Center indicating that he has received the worst press coverage of all. The survey included press coverage from the last five months, of which only nine percent was positive. On the other hand, a whopping 36% of the press clips surveyed were deemed to be purely negative.

The difference between the coverage afforded the president now and when he was first running for office in 2008 is startling. Political rivals at that time had on occasion vented frustration at the overwhelmingly good press Obama received, almost hinting that it was unfair. Now, the president cannot seem to get on anybody’s good side. Rick Perry has received the most positive press coverage – but, alas, to no avail. Hermann Cain is lately receiving more positive coverage, but we shall see what happens after tonight’s Republican debate. Even Mitt Romney is maintaining at least equilibrium at 26 percent positive and 27 percent negative. But the president cannot seem to improve the positivity of his press coverage, only the quantity.

One of the key demographics that supported the president’s 2008 election was the Latino community. However, according to a CNN article posted yesterday, “Latinos to protest Obama’s immigration policies,” even that group is weaning in its support for President Obama. Hispanics in major metropolitan areas including New York City and San Francisco – areas that are meant to be hubs for Democratic support – are setting up protests targeting a nationwide law enforcement program being implemented by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Known as “Secure Communities,” the program makes it easier for illegal immigrants with criminal records to be deported, and is being viewed as discriminatory. As the head of the Executive Branch of government, President Obama is likewise taking criticism from the Hispanic community, and for that reason is himself a target of protesters.

The New York Times has recently reported another obstacle to President Obama’s reelection. Journalist Mark Lander’s headline reads, “LookingToward 2012, Obama Finds North Carolina Less Receptive.” As North Carolina has traditionally voted for a Republican president, the Democratic president is trying hard to once again acquire the state’s electoral votes. However, citizens in the state are clearly uneasy and much less enthusiastic about the upcoming election. One sign, referring to Obama’s campaign slogan, read simply, “We Believed. We Voted. Now What?” Although the people the president is meeting in North Carolina are not hostile to the president, it is unclear whether the masses who came out to vote for him three years ago will feel compelled to act, or to sit the next election out. In the latter case, North Carolina will likely go red.