AS DEMOCRATS MEET – AT 8:19 A.M. ET:  The Democratic convention begins today in Charlotte.  I know that your enthusiasm cannot be contained and that you are hanging on every speech and declaration.  Please try to act with dignity.  Urgent Agenda prides itself on refined behavior and healthy diets. 

As the Democrats gather, a new poll cannot give them much enthusiasm.  From The Hill:

A majority of voters believe the country is worse off today than it was four years ago and that President Obama does not deserve reelection, according to a new poll for The Hill.

Fifty-two percent of likely voters say the nation is in “worse condition” now than in September 2008, while 54 percent say Obama does not deserve reelection based solely on his job performance.

Only 31 percent of voters believe the nation is in “better condition,” while 15 percent say it is “about the same,” the poll found. Just 40 percent of voters said Obama deserves reelection.

The results highlight the depth of voter dissatisfaction confronting Obama as he makes his case for a second term at this week’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

They also strongly suggest Democrats need to convince voters the election should be a choice between Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney, rather than a referendum on the president.

And...

The Hill’s polling shows skepticism about the president is entrenched among coveted centrist voters who are key to the election outcome.

Fifty-two percent of centrists said Obama does not deserve reelection based on his job performance, 56 percent are unsatisfied with his handling of the economy and 53 percent feel the country is worse off.

Men (57 percent) are more likely than women (51 percent) to believe Obama does not deserve reelection.

And get this stunner:

Among those aged 18-39 — a voting bloc that helped push Obama to victory in 2008 — 51 percent said the president does not deserve reelection, while 40 percent said he does.

COMMENT:  Despite these grim statistics, Republicans must not be overconfident.  The GOP is still unpopular and Romney/Ryan, though making progress at the well-run Republican convention last week, have not yet made the sale.  The president remains personally popular, although his job performance gets mediocre grades.

Still a fight to the finish.  We must run as if we're 20 points behind.

September 4,  2012