LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The joke goes: A democrat was jogging in a park when she saw a boy with a wagon full of puppies. Admiringly she asked what kind they were. They boy called them "Democrats." The next week the same thing happened, but this time he called them "Republicans." When she asked what changed, the boy explained, "Their eyes are open now."

The difference now is that it's not a joke where Obama is concerned.


In his ham-fisted bid to get reelected, Obama has made a series of strategic blunders that have cost him a second-term that seemed all but certain several months ago when Republicans were busy tearing each other down in their bid to gain the party's nomination. 

Now that Republicans have unified behind Romney, his polls are rising while the public has shifted their scrutiny to Obama. And they don't like what they're seeing. 

According to the latest New York Times/CBS poll, Romney is not just leading among registered voters, he is also leading in three key demographics - women, moderates, and independents are defecting wholesale into his camp. 

A unique feature of the current poll is that it surveyed the same people who were polled in August, revealing a shift in support to Romney. Obama lost 5 points with all three groups. 

Much of the problem stems from a series of strategic setbacks for Obama. Last month, Obama was caught promising the Russians that he would be willing to concede on a matter of national security - after the November election. Then, several Secret Service personnel were caught consorting with prostitutes. Finally, Obama's outing as being opposed to marriage seems to be backfiring. 

Last week, President Obama made a bombshell announcement, that he supported marriage between same sex couples. However, the announcement has galvanized opposition against him and even his own base is skeptical that his intentions are sincere. 

Finally, Obama is harshly criticizing private equity investors and their firms, while soliciting donations from the same. 

All this makes Obama appear desperate. Even former President Bill Clinton was quoted as declaring Obama an amateur. 

While the general election is yet to heat up, it is clearly not going to be a landslide win for Obama. And with his base crumbling and Romney gaining steam, it is becoming increasingly likely that Obama will be packing for a move to Chicago, about four years earlier than expected. 

You can bet their eyes are open now.

© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.