ABC NEWS: Why the Health Care Clock Might Be Ticking. “In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, the President’s approval rating for handling health care has slipped under 50%. And for first time in our polling significantly more Americans disapprove strongly of his handling of health care reform than approve strongly, so he’s dealing with an intensity gap as well. The fact that the president’s job approval rating is so closely tied to the economy, and both are sinking, sheds some insight into why he’s pressing for health care reform now. As the economy continues to tank, he may not have for much longer the political strength to push something this dramatic.”

And by sitting on its budget update, the White House is strongly suggesting that there’s another shoe about to drop. A big, stinky one.