Although President Barack Obama’s approval ratings and re-election outlook have improved markedly in recent weeks, he still faces plenty of tough questions.
Politico offers five of them:
What are you doing about the price of gas?
Gasoline prices now average $3.76 a gallon nationwide, almost double the level when Obama took office in 2009. If gas prices don’t recede, they could torpedo the economic recovery and thereby toss Obama’s re-election chances into the tank.
Hey, how about that Rush Limbaugh?
The hubbub over the radio talk show star’s comments will die down eventually. At that point, Obama probably will have to address his own action that triggered the whole outcry — requiring religious-based institutions to provide free birth control coverage in their workers’ health plans. Even though that has been modified so that the insurance companies provide the coverage, the controversy continues.
What will we do if Israel attacks Iran?
Obama is trying to avoid war with Iran without alienating Israel or its supporters in the United States. That may prove impossible, as many in both camps don’t think he’s acting strongly enough.
Will unemployment be below 8 percent on Election Day?
The rate now stands at 8.3 percent, and no president since Franklin Roosevelt has been elected with a rate above 8 percent. Obama’s got quite a task ahead of him, as the economy may not be strong enough to push the rate below that threshold.
Is the president getting cocky?
The administration is feeling good about itself now. But things can turn at the drop of a hat.
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