The herculean task of guiding the country through two wars and the worst economic climate since the Great Depression has taken a toll on Congress’ approval rating - and it now seems to be having an effect on President Obama’s approval rating as well. A recent Washington Post-ABC poll shows Barack Obama’s approval rating sinking to 50 percent from a high of 69 percent in April of 2009. Anti-incumbent sentiment is running rampant, with Republicans polling just slightly better than the Democrats across the aisle. Obama is polling the lowest in his handling of the federal budget deficit and the highest in his duties as commander in chief. Both Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan’s administrations lost seats in Congress during their first midterm elections, but went on to easily win re-election two years later. How will the Dems fare in November and what might those results mean for 2012?

Guest:

Doyle McManus, Washington Columnist covering national and international politics, Los Angeles Times