Surely one of the top five dumbest palate cleansers we’ve ever posted, but it’s simply too meme-tastic to leave it buried in Headlines. If he can’t count on TOTUS and he can’t count on his canvassers, surely he can still count on the average American voter, right? Hmmm:

Obama’s lowest approval number comes in response to his federal budget, which includes a substantial deficit. Only 42 percent agree with Obama’s budget while 45 percent disapprove…

In the minds of those surveyed, there’s little distinction between the bank bailouts of the past six months and the aid packages for the auto industry that were granted earlier this year. Only 34 percent of people think the administration is taking the right approach to help an ailing auto industry. A higher number (43 percent) objects to bailouts as an appropriate use of government money.

Newsweek’s naturally downplaying the degree of opposition. Check the crosstabs and you’ll see that there are actually three options on the bailout questions: taking the right approach, inappropriate use of government funds, and “is not doing what is needed to solve the problem.” Support for that last option is in the mid-teens; add it to those who are opposed to bailouts generally and you’re well over 50 percent who think The One’s on the wrong track. Click the image to watch.

Update: Where is the TOTUS here, anyway? I don’t see it at the podium. Is it one of those large-screen deals in the back like he had at the White House presser last week?

Update: A comedy double dip courtesy of, believe it or not, the Guardian. Inside Barry’s mind as the TOTUS goes dark…

pause [I’M IN WAY TOO DEEP HERE] … a regulatory system that was inadequate to the massive changes that have taken place in the global financial system … pause, close eyes [THIS IS GOING TO GO DOWN LIKE A CROCK OF SHIT BACK HOME. HELP]. I think what is also true is that … pause