Obama hits all-time lows, according to NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll

When Barack Obama unveils his jobs and economic plan to a joint session of Congress on Thursday, he'll do so at the lowest point of his presidency, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

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After the bruising debt-ceiling fight — as well as Standard & Poor's subsequent downgrade of the nation's credit rating — Obama's job approval rating has sunk to a low of 44 percent, a 3-point drop since July. His handling of the economy stands at a low of 37 percent. And only 19 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction, the lowest mark for this president.
Perhaps most ominously for Obama, a majority of poll takers — 54 percent — think he's facing a longer-term setback from which he's unlikely to recover. Back in January, just 39 percent agreed with that assessment.

Obama ratings sink to new lows as hope fades

(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/ AP ) - President Barack Obama is hugged by a member of the audience after speaking at a Labor Day event at Detroit's Renaissance Center, headquarters of General Motors, Monday, Sept., 5, 2011, in Detroit, Mich.

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By Jon Cohen and Dan Balz, Updated: Tuesday, September 6, 6:05 AM

Public pessimism about the direction of the country has jumped to its highest level in nearly three years, erasing the sense of hope that followed President Obama’s inauguration and pushing his approval ratings to a record low, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
More than 60 percent of those surveyed say they disapprove of the way the president is handling the economy and, what has become issue No. 1, the stagnant jobs situation. Just 43 percent now approve of the job he is doing overall, a new career low; 53 percent disapprove, a new high.

FOX & Friends Showdown: Wasserman Schultz Avoids Hoffa Question

OX & Friends Showdown: Wasserman Schultz Avoids Hoffa Question

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DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz appeared on "FOX & Friends" this morning and ducked answering a question about Jimmy Hoffa's "take these son of bitches out" comment.

Host Gretchen Carlson asked several times for a response to what Hoffa said, however Wasserman Schultz kept saying that the American people want us to focus on "working together."

However, eventually Wasserman Schultz got fed up and asked "are you kidding me?" She continued: "Really Gretchen? How many times have you called out the coarse language at tea party rallies? Almost never," she said.

Wasserman Schultz never directly addressed Hoffa's comment.

Will Barack Obama condemn Joe Biden and Jimmy Hoffa for calling Republicans 'barbarians' and 'son of a bitches'

Barack Obama campaigning in Chicago last year. Photo: Toby Harnden

I enjoy political hardball as much as the next reporter. It’s barely concealed truth that campaign journalists, like the operatives we cover, love negative campaigning and revel in OTT insults and martial rhetoric. Even candidates often lapse into the language of “rip his throat out”, “tear his eyes out” or “drive a stake through her heart”.

Hoffa Threatens GOP At Obama Event: "Take These Son Of Bitches Out"

Hoffa Threatens GOP At Obama Event: "Take These Son Of Bitches Out"

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Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa had some profane, combative words for Republicans while warming up the crowd for President Obama in Detroit, Michigan on Monday.