SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT:

THUMBS DOWN ON BIDEN – FROM BIZPACREVIEW:   A new poll conducted by Fox News was released this Sunday, which indicates that the percentage of respondents who feel the country is more united under President Joe Biden has declined. It has fallen to the point where those who think the country is less united are now in the majority, according to the poll.  The numbers show a huge discrepancy between the campaign rhetoric and public perception. A whopping 54 percent feel the country is less united since Biden took office, while only 37 percent felt it was more united.  The poll also measured perceptions about Biden in terms of empathy and caring as a leader. Only 51 percent think Biden “cares about people like you,” which is down from last year, just before the election (October of 2020), where the same question prompted 56 percent agreement. While Democrats and Republicans continued to feel mostly the same, the 5 percent drop was from crucial voters who identify as Independent, where the answer shifted 15 percent down from 2020.  There appeared to be some lack of confidence in Biden’s mental faculties among respondents as well. Only 49 percent believe Biden is mentally sound to serve as president, though it should be noted that apparently, the same amount felt that way in 2020. Only 45 percent described Biden as a strong leader, which is down from 49 percent last year.  As far as managing the government, and overall competence in general, Biden’s administration still enjoys a small lead, with 51 percent agreeing with the statement “has [the] Biden administration been competent and effective in managing government?” The percentage of those polled who disagreed was 45. There is a similar even split on the economy, with 50 percent in approval versus 49 percent disapproval.  The president has only been in office eight months, and his support is starting to crumble.  And there doesn't appear to be much opportunity in the near future to turn the drop around.  But our side must avoid overconfidence, and fight as if we're 20 points behind.  The 2022 elections are 14 months away.

September 19, 2021