If President Obama can spare a moment from such chores as winning re-election, he might find a few chuckles on late-night TV. Times are tough for Obama, especially when it comes to his approval rating. But things could be worse.

With Election Day 2012 looming one short year from Sunday, Obama’s most effective heat shield turns out to be his loyal opposition: Republicans scrapping to unseat him, and getting lampooned for it by late-night TV comics.