The political and economic environment is a challenging one for President Obama as he seeks re-election. However, past Gallup polls suggest that it is too soon to make any firm predictions. By March, it should be clearer whether unemployment is continuing to decline and the economy is picking up speed. Temple political scientist Chris Wlezien may give the president even more time to turn things around; he has determined that economic indicators affect voter preferences through June in the year leading up to the election.