That’s a lot, but speaks to the depth of the problem he faces still struggling to convince people that the economy really is in significantly better shape five years after the meltdown, let alone that his policies are the reason — a Gallup poll in August found just 35 percent of people approving his handling of the economy, and 26 percent his handling of the deficit. Both numbers have dropped since June.

Or take Obamacare. Three and a half years after he signed the bill into law, a year and a half after the Supreme Court upheld it and less than two weeks from the beginning of enrollment, polls out Monday show majorities saying they still don’t understand Obama’s signature achievement, and they still don’t like it.

The administration’s holding out hope that the policy will get more popular once people start actually feeling and getting more familiar with its benefits. Polls out this week showed that among people who say they understand the law well, Obamacare’s over twice as popular as among people who say they’re still confused…

“It’s a surprise to many of us, because he seemed to have a real gift of eloquence and persuasion when he was elected — and he has given some stirring speeches and he can show, on occasion, a great deal of conviction and passion,” said Robert Reich, the former Clinton administration Labor Secretary and Obama supporter. “But he seems not to be able to make the sale, not only to the American people, but to members of Congress.”