In August of his second year as president, his approval rating dipped to 39 percent, partly because he was so heavily criticized over his plan for health care reform.

Elected as a centrist, his critics cast him as a social liberal. Just 19 months into his presidency, his re-election chances looked iffy, at best.

President Obama? Try President Clinton.

Another president was elected on a platform of hope for America and change, but the slumbering economy kept going downhill after he took office.

Unemployment was bad when he began his presidency, but it got much worse. Less than two years on the job, half the nation disapproved of his job as president.

President Obama? Try President Reagan.

When Reagan took office in January 1981, unemployment was 7.5 percent. Late in 1982, it reached 11 percent. Reagan’s disapproval rating was at 50 percent, and his Republican Party lost more than two dozen seats in the 1982 mid-term elections.

Like Reagan’s and Clinton’s, Obama’s start hasn’t been what his supporters had hoped and has offered much fodder for critics. Like President Reagan, he inherited a poor economy that is proving difficult to revive.

Will the 2012 mid-term elections hurt Obama? Almost without question. But remember that Clinton was the first Democratic president since World War II to lose control of Congress, in 1994, and he still turned around fortunes enough to win re-election in 1996. Critics who have already declared Obama cannot win re-election in 2012 are way early to make such predictions, especially considering the GOP’s lack of great candidates.

Mayoral candidate

Paula Hughes has had the Republican field for the 2011 mayoral primary all to herself, but that will likely change.

A new name has emerged as a likely candidate: Eric Doden, a political newcomer who was general manager for Ambassador Steel and now with Ambassador Investments.

Unlike some other Republicans who have thrown their name out for consideration to weigh the response, Doden reportedly has been actively researching a race, speaking with consultants and top Republicans.

Quayle cash

The story on Page 1A Saturday about the campaign miscues of Ben Quayle, the former vice president’s son, wasn’t the only story Friday about the Arizona congressional candidate.

Politico reported that Dan Coats, the former Indiana senator now seeking his old job back, gave $2,400 to Ben Quayle on July 30. Coats’ wife, Marsha, also donated $2,400.

Quayle is running against nine other Republicans for the party’s nomination. The primary is next week.