OBAMA SLAMMED IN GALLUP/USA TODAY POLL – AT 11:26 P.M. ET:  The president, despite periodic bumps upward, continues to suffer in public opinion.  Our first two items this morning dealt with his and his party's stormy time.  Here are some further findings from a new survey by Gallup and USA Today:

In the survey last Friday through Sunday, the president gets tough treatment:

• Obama's standing on four key personal qualities, including being a strong and decisive leader and understanding the problems Americans face in their lives, has dipped. For the first time since the 2008 campaign, he fails to win a majority of people saying he shares their values and can manage the government effectively.

• Twenty-six percent say he deserves "a great deal" of the blame for the nation's economic problems, nearly double the number who felt that way last summer. In all, half say he deserves at least a moderate amount of blame.

The blame directed at his predecessor, former president George W. Bush, hasn't eased, however: 42% now give Bush "a great deal" of blame, basically unchanged from 43% last July.

• By 50%-46%, those surveyed say Obama doesn't deserve re-election.

Obama's approval rating on handling the economy, foreign affairs and the federal budget deficit hasn't significantly changed from February. It has risen a bit on health care, though he doesn't get majority approval on any of the categories.

COMMENT:  It's terrible the way people treat a demigod today.  Never used to be that way.

Before we go all smiley, though, please note that Republican congressional leaders rank lower than the president.  The Republican Party is not loved, and we have to do a great deal to enhance the party's romantic appeal.  I understand there are pills.

April 1, 2010