I get that drift from cable-news punditry, and I don't watch Fox News, or only rarely. Republicans look to get stronger in Congress even. I think of how Barney Frank doesn't see much point in sticking around. There's the general rule that a president's bid for re-election is usually a referendum on the economy - good economy, thumbs up, bad economy, thumbs down. I don't think the Obama poeple feel this is going to be easy street, even with a Newt. They have a hard sell to make.