Are The Glory Days Behind Him?

Barack Obama has been President only slightly more than two weeks. His approval ratings have already dropped significantly and approval for his gigantic "stimulus" package is at 37% and dropping fast. Citizens are lighting up the congressional switchboard and even RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) are beginning to back away from being associated with the bill. As he hit the airways with a round of interviews aimed at talking up the bill, he was met instead with questions about his nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, Tom Daschle, and other nominees with tax "misunderstandings".

Today, in an act that smells of desperation, he pens an Op Ed in the Washington Post, something never done (to my knowledge) by a sitting president. Unfortunately, the editorial his article is opposite points out that the package suffers from a confusion of objectives. Not even the usually reliable WaPo is backing him up.

It's worth remembering that the Senate can pass this bill without the Republicans (as did the House last week.) But that leaves them with no political cover when things go badly. Will they do it?

Obama has invested a huge amount of political capital in getting the package passed. What effect will it have on him if it fails?