Just a couple of weeks ago, it was conventional wisdom that Barack Obama is a shoo-in for re-election. The president had just claimed the scalp of Osama bin-Laden, and looks increasingly at home in the White House. And the Republican field looks uninspiring. But I think the dismal economic figures out today must surely dent any complacency about Obama’s re-election. I’ve heard it said by senior Democrats that the president cannot win if unemployment is still above 9% on polling day. Well, it’s just hit 9.1% again. Read more