Dems Worry There's No Fight in Obama 2012

With the economy's continuing weakness, a 9.1% unemployment rate, and the president's sagging poll numbers, leading Democrats are voicing louder doubts and concerns about President Obama's re-election chances, reports the New York Times. Attempts to capture the middle ground have both failed with independents and alienated the president's more liberal supporters. “The frustrations are real,” says a Maryland rep. “I think we know that there is a Barack Obama that’s deep in there, but he’s got to synchronize it with passion and principles.”

Many are hoping to see more fight from an administration widely viewed as spineless. “He needs to start stomping his foot and pounding the desk," says a member of the Democratic National Committee. But White House officials have brushed off many of those criticisms, dismissing them as out of step with mainstream opinions. But many of the party faithful insist it's time to wake up: “The alarms have already gone off in the Democratic grass roots,” said another DNC member. “If the Obama administration hasn’t heard them, they should check the wiring of their alarm system.” (More President Obama stories.)