I blame the hippies.

The debate on the left about how progressive Obama is really doesn't matter. If you want to defend his policy choices on the merits (i.e., the stimulus was plenty big) -- knock yourself out.

But the simple fact is they're not working politically.

Public pessimism about the direction of the country has jumped to its highest level in nearly three years, erasing the sense of hope that followed President Obama’s inauguration and pushing his approval ratings to a record low, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

More than 60 percent of those surveyed say they disapprove of the way the president is handling the economy and, what has become issue No. 1, the stagnant jobs situation. Just 43 percent now approve of the job he is doing overall, a new career low; 53 percent disapprove, a new high.