

Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 06/19/2012
By Jennifer Rubinhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/2012-isnt-2008/2012/06/19/gJQADqUFoV_blog.htmlObama was dealt a very good hand in 2008.Obama has a rotten hand, largely of his own making in 2012.In 2008 generalities were sufficient. Unity. Hope. Change. The average voter was willing to go with that.
With 23 million people unemployed, underemployed or out of the workforce, voters are frustrated with canned speeches.
In 2008 Obama was a fresh face.In 2012 Obama has been horribly overexposed. Frankly, voters tuned out on him a while ago.
In 2008 the conservative movement was demoralized. Republicans had lost the House two years earlier and lacked a strong agenda.
In 2012 the conservative movement is energized. Republicans won the House two years ago and, thanks to the tea party and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), have coalesced around a free-market, limited-government agenda.
In 2008 many voters were rather unconcerned about, even unaware of, the size of the debt.In 2012 voters have become educated about and frightened by the debt.