Dick Morris:Obama's 100 days were the Seeds of His Own Destruction

(Townhall).When the Obama administration crashes and burns, with approval ratings that fall through the floor, political scientists can trace its demise to its first hundred days.The fact is that this president has moved on issue after issue in precisely the opposite direction of what the people want him to do.

Right now, Obama's ratings must be pleasing to his eye. Voters like him , and approve of his activism in the face of the economic crisis. While polls show big doubts about what he is doing, the overwhelming sense is to let him have his way and pray that it works.

But beneath this superficial support, Obama's specific policies run afoul of very deeply felt feelings by American voters. For example, the most recent Rasmussen Poll asked voters if they wanted an economic system of complete free enterprise or wanted more government involvement in managing the economy. By 77% to 19%, they voted against a government role.

And in the Fox News poll -- the very same survey that gave Obama a 62% approval and reported that 68% of voters are "satisfied" with his first hundred days -- voters supported a smaller government that offered fewer services over a larger government that provided more by 50 percent to 38 percent.

By 42% to 8% found that voters felt Obama had expanded government rather than contracted it,By 62% to 20%, they said government spending, under Obama, was "out of control."

So if voters differ so fundamentally with the president on the very essence of his program, why do they accord him high ratings? They are like the recently married bride who took her vows 100 days ago. It would be a disaster for her if she decides that she really doesn't like her husband. But she keeps noticing things about him that she can't stand. It will be a while before she walks out the door or even comes to terms with her own doubts, but it is probably inevitable that she will.

For Americans to conclude that they disapprove of their president in the midst of an earth-shaking crisis is very difficult. But as Obama's daily line moves from "I inherited this mess" to "there are faint signs of light," the clock starts ticking. If there is no recovery for the next six months -- and I don't think there will be -- Obama will inevitably become part of the problem, not part of the solution