Barack Obama enjoys an 8-point lead over Mitt Romney (12 over Herman Cain) — in Illinois, his home state, a state he took by 25 points in 2008.
A poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU Carbondale found Obama is under 50 against all contenders except Rick Perry.
Against Mitt Romney, it isPresident Obama 46.1%, Mitt Romney 38.5%.
Against Herman Cain, it isBarack Obama 46.3%, Herman Cain 34%.
Simon Institute Director David Yepsen said in a press release: “You couldlook at this as being uncomfortably close for the president in his home state. On the otherhand you could say Obama is holding up fairly well in Illinois, given the difficult year he has had politically and the continued poor performance of the economy.”
Of course, a difficult yearis a poor excuse if — big if — next year is worse.
For the Republican nomination, Herman Cain leads in Illinois. It is Herman Cain 23.4%, Mitt Romney 20.6%, Newt Gingrich 7.5%, Rick Perry7.2%, Ron Paul 6.6%, Michele Bachmann 3.8%,Jon Huntsman 2.5% and Rick Santorum 2.2%.”
Obama’s approval is at 51.8% positive, 46.4% negative.
This is not the only sign of weakness in his base. Last night, I informed readers that President Obama enjoys a 27-pointlead over Mitt Romney —in Hawaii, his native state, a state he took by 45 points in 2008. Herman Cain trails by 33 points. Added to today’s news and President Obama may have to spend more time at home.
Any more dictators left to kill? Because he will need their pelts to boost his ratings if he is under 50 in Illinois — and headed that way in Hawaii.

http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/44818

Republicans want new kind of candidate for 2012

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/18/opinion/bennett-cain-romney-gop/