Public confidence in President Obama has hit a new low, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Four months before midterm elections that will define the second half of his term, nearly six in 10 voters say they lack faith in the president to make the right decisions for the country, and a clear majority once again disapproves of how he is dealing with the economy.

Regard for Obama is still higher than it is for members of Congress, but the gap has narrowed. About seven in 10 registered voters say they lack confidence in Democratic lawmakers and a similar proportion say so of Republican lawmakers.........

...Independents -- that amorphous body that usually determines elections -- are continuing to migrate away from the Democratic Party. That party is increasingly identified by its leaders: Pelosi, Reid and Obama. They are to the left of many members of the party, but have dragged other party members who have done their bidding for them off the cliff, as well. Many more people identify themselves as conservatives than liberals......

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