The early euphoria surrounding the election of a dynamic, charismatic new political star has dampened since President Barack Obama took office in 2008. Support for his administration has slipped and voters are disillusioned with his promises for change. As the US economy continues to falter, voters are holding Obama responsible. The approaching US midterm election threatens harsh punishment: the democrats could lose control of the House and perhaps the Senate.

What has prompted this drastic change of mood in the American electorate? Polls show Obama's approval rating at 45 percent. In the first two years of his time in office, Obama has pushed through education reforms, new financial regulations, a landmark healthcare bill and a stimulus package worth billions of dollars. But voters seem less impressed. They are taking stock of what looks to be a bleak future: jobs are disappearing, the stock market is weak, the country is trillions of dollars in debt and Washington is still at war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Fear that their standard of living will sink has delivered a number Americans into the arms of the Republican Party. The arch conservative Tea-Party movement has also capitalized on government discontent as they work to unify conservatives. Republican 2008 vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has quickly become a Tea Party darling, challenging Obama for wasting state funds and supporting 'big government'. If the right manages to sway the election, Obama may find himself half way through his first term in office and with very little power to create changes he wants.

What do you think?

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