Well with the Republicans shooting each other in the foot with their leadership race it's no wonder Obama is higher in the poles (so far). That's why most Presidents get a 2nd term as they don't have these battles. But while it 'appears' Obama will win again in Nov I do think with the Senate elections the Republicans will win the Senate AND keep the House of Representatives. That leaves a lame duck Democratic administration. And unlike most countries the U.S. President doesn't have much power without cooperation with the other levels of government. They set it up that way when they won the War of Independence and the entire U.S. system of government was created and set up with an extreme mistrust of governments. So where that will leave you with Obama as President and the Republicans controlling both levels of government is the question. They have the final say on most decisions and will just say no to everything or water down any proposed legislation. Don't know if you can call that a win or not. In Canada like many countries the President or Prime minister here is like God and runs the show even with other levels of government as long as they have a majority of elected members. So they can get things done despite a whining and bitching opposition. EX: Canada's Conservative government just junked the long gun registry the Liberals brought in many years ago with an unbelievable cost to tax payers. The opposition ranted and whined about this but it didn't really matter as the governing Conservatives control all major decisions and only have to give lip service to the opposition. The press often sides with the opposition whining and crying with left wing issues as the press always has been on the left and bleeding heart issues as it is a good seller and that can ultimately cost the government votes at election time. But meanwhile it's nice to see important decisions being made regardless. Don't know how the U.S. can function with their present system actually.