Katie Couric's Notebook: Stimulus

That state has been hit hard, with an unemployment rate hovering at 10 percent. Now, Ohio is historically a swing state and a good place to check the nation's temperature and right now it's getting hotter. The President's approval ratings are dropping there and only half think he's done a good job on the economy.

Experts rely on indicators like home sales and the Gross Domestic Product, but all those numbers can be mind boggling and the truth is, the number that Washington is paying close attention to is 2010--and the upcoming midterm elections.

It's only been five months since the stimulus bill became a law and most people agree it's too soon to declare victory or defeat.

But this administration will need to assure voters in Ohio and beyond that even if the train is moving slowly we are in fact on the right track.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.