I don't think we live in a country that would settle for 8.5% unemployment and $3.00/gallon won't happen. Anything above 7% won't be acceptable. Romney will constantly be able to remind us how much more gas is compared to 2008 and play Obama whining about prices then but basically quoting George W. Bush in 2012. Hmm now what about Obama is different in 2012 than in 2008? Gee I can't figure this out. Why would a president excuse gas prices as an incumbent but whine about them as a new candidate. Can anyone tell me why? Look it's politics and Obama looks like a politician in this mess. There are a number of other points Romney can poke at with Obama. This is not an election where Bush is in office with a 25% approval rating.
It isn't about settling, it is about trend.
Reagan won with 7.2% unemployment, which is still high. But the fact that it was improving is what matters, same thing for Obama.
It's supposed to be 9.2% by the end of the year and the prices of gas won't help.
Supposed to be? Says who? The CBO? Well, they also say Obamacare will reduce the deficit and be beneficial, so apparently they shouldn't be taken seriously.