Voters who are disinclined to favor a Democratic incumbent will be more likely to interpret disappointing jobs numbers as an indictment of Obama while voters who are more favorably disposed towards Democrats will maintain that he is doing the best that can be expected of him in the face of powerful economic and political headwinds . There 's a widespread perception that unemployment levels are hurting Obama 's re - election chances . Reihan Salam : It seems Obama has strong support from groups more likely to be jobless . He says Romney is left in the position of having to appeal to those who have fared better . That matters because even those who have done well can count as a failure , he says .
There 's a widespread perception that unemployment levels are hurting Obama 's re - election chances . Reihan Salam : It seems Obama has strong support from groups more likely to be jobless . He says Romney is left in the position of having to appeal to those who have fared better . That matters because even those who have done well can count as a failure , he says .