The president's approval rating isn't great, few appreciate his jobs plan, and there's open speculation about whether or not he's depressed. So, don't blame Obama if his expressions of confidence sound slightly more pessimistic these days. At a fundraiser in D.C. last night, the White House informs in a news release, the President made this remark that was greeted by laughter and applause: "And I just have to remind people that--here's one thing I know for certain: The odds of me being reelected are much higher than the odds of me being elected in the first place." The Associated Press interpreted the quote as it was probably intended: a remark made "to tamp down Democratic anxiety" over his election prospects. Politico's blog headline sums up the moment better: "Obama: Hey, at least I'm the incumbent." Not too confident sounding, in other words.

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Erik Hayden