Poll: Obama’s Approval Continues To Slide

President Barack Obama’s approval rating continues to slide, according to a new Zogby poll.

It now stands at 41 percent among likely voters, the lowest this year. In addition, only 37 percent of those polled believe Obama deserves to be reelected, with an additional 57 percent responding that it is “time for someone new,” including 58 percent of independent voters.

The data also indicates that 66 percent believe the country is “headed in the wrong direction,” and only 25 percent believe the U.S. is on the right course. Approval of Congress is charted at 21 percent, with 35 percent for Republican lawmakers and 31 percent for Democrats.

The poll was conducted among 2,055 likely voters and took place between April 21^st-25^th.

Predator Drones Begin Operating In Libya

Predator drones began operations in Libya over the weekend and have made their first strikes.

According to NATO, a drone destroyed a Multiple Rocket Launcher around Misrata on Saturday. NATO claims the launcher system has been used against civilians.

The drones are supplied by the U.S. in the country’s ongoing effort to enhance NATO’s capabilities. The Pentagon confirmed the strike but declined to provide any details.

According to General James Cartwright, Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, only two drones will be allowed to operate in the country at any given time. The first flight was scheduled for last week, but was stalled due to poor weather.

Giffords Makes Time’s Top 100 List, Obama Writes Tribute

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), the lawmaker who was shot outside of a Tucson grocery store earlier this year, has made Time Magazine’s list for the top 100 most influential people of 2011.

As an extra honor, President Barack Obama penned her entry in the magazine.

“Before that morning, Gabrielle Giffords may not have been a household name,” Obama wrote. “But the reason she has long been admired by people of all political stripes is that she embodies the best of what public service should be: hard work and fair play, hope and resilience, a willingness to listen and a determination to do your best in a busy world.”

Obama added that Giffrods, who continues to recover, has “the prayers of a nation rooting for her, a model of civility and courage and unity — a needed voice that cannot return soon enough. “

Giffords was shot in the head on January 8^th in an attack that claimed the lives of six and wounded 13. According to reports, she is making a steady recovery. There are rumors that her office is considering propositioning the Congresswoman for a Senate run.

Pelosi Blasts Republicans On Jobs On 100th Day Of GOP Control

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) marked the 100^th day of GOP control in the lower chamber by blasting Republicans for failing to use their new-found majority to spur job growth.

 “100 days in the majority, and Republicans have still failed to produce a jobs agenda.  The American people are waiting and Democrats are ready to work in a bipartisan way to create jobs,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Instead, Republicans will mark this day with debate on a budget that ends Medicare and does not create jobs.  This builds on their record of legislation that destroys at least one million jobs.”

Republicans won  63 seats in the 2010 mid-term elections and assumed control on January 5^th of this year.

Report: Gary Johnson Will Announce 2012 Plans Next Week

According to Fox News, long shot White House hopeful Gary Johnson will announce his 2012 plans next week.

Johnson, the former Governor of New Mexico, has garnered attention for endorsing marijuana legalization, going so far as to admit that he smoked pot from 2005 to 2008 for medicinal reasons.

The former Governor will reportedly announce his candidacy on the steps of the New Hampshire State Capitol and will then attempt to participate in the first GOP debate in South Carolina next month.

Johnson served as Governor from 1994-2002.