It is a political truism that there are only two ways to run for office: unopposed and scared. President Barack Obama is unopposed for the Democratic nomination in his bid for a second term next year. Given his weak poll numbers, he may have benefitted from a hard-hitting primary campaign.

Because the Republicans have a stout primary that has made the occupant of the White House their rallying cry, the electorate is being treated to a relentless attack on Obama. Pols show their message is resonating across the political spectrum.

The president should run scared in 2012. It's not only that the Republican nominee will enter the general election campaign with lots of momentum, but there's no guarantee that the traditional Democratic voters — white, non-college, blue collar — will turn out for him. Indeed, his campaign seems to have written off this segment, according to the New York Times.

A poll conducted by the Associated Press/GfK shows 52 percent of adults say the president should be voted out of office, while 43 percent say he should be re-elected.

It should come as no surprise that Obama's inability to put some life in the anemic economy, which has caused widespread unemployment, is at the heart of his high disapproval rating.

Predominantly Democratic regions like the Mahoning Valley face a major challenge next year.