DRINKING WATER PROVEN TO HELP WEIGHT LOSS

(CNN) -- President Obama is facing criticism that his message has gone off track at a crucial time for his party and administration. With the midterm elections just 10 weeks away, the president's approval ratings are at their lowest. Analysts are predicting big wins for Republicans in November.

Ten weeks is an eternity in politics, and Republican and Democratic strategists say there are some key things Obama can do in the final stretch to restore the confidence of the American people and minimize expected losses for his party.

1. Simplify the message

Candidate Obama inspired voters in the 2008 election with a simple message of hope and change. Halfway through his term, the president now faces the complex reality of governing.

Despite the administration's full plate, strategists say Obama needs to return to the focus and discipline that helped him win the presidency.

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"That means less Professor Obama, more President Obama. It means fewer distinctions and shorter paragraphs," said David Morey, a communications expert who advised Obama's 2008 campaign.

"What should the message be? There should be three messages: Jobs, jobs, jobs," he added.

Christopher Arterton, professor of political management at George Washington University, advised Obama to drop the soaring rhetoric and focus on more low-level policy stops.

"It's a question of every day doing something on the economy and making sure that the news headlines are related to that," he said.

2. Channel Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan, known as the "great communicator," put communications front-and-center, Morey said.

"He focused and simplified the message. He communicated it. He built a consensus. He defined America's role in the world, and that's the challenge here," he said.

Once Obama has honed his message, he should take it directly to the people in news conferences, said Morey, vice chairman of the Core Strategy Group.

"Nobody was better at that. I'm not sure why somebody with that intellect and those communications talents should be so tightly scripted."

3. Propagandize the truth

"There is a great hunger for leaders who can rise above the political pettiness and tell the truth," Morey said, pointing to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as an example.

Christie, a Republican, defeated Democrat Gov. Jon Corzine last year, becoming the first Republican governor of the state since 1997.

Since then, Christie has slashed the state's budget and proved he doesn't answer to his party alone. So far, the voters like him for it. A Quinnipiac survey released last week shows 61 percent of independents approve of how he's handling his job.

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4. Go on the offense

"With barely an exception, the administration should stop equivocating, parsing and reacting," Morey said.

In an era of 24/7 analysis on the television and online, it's easy for a president to get caught up in the day-to-day distractions and mudslinging.

When sideshow issues pop up, the president must rise above them.

"I think it's time to do the thing he does in 2008 better than any candidate I've ever seen -- transcend," Morey said.

"Ignore your opponents, ignore cable TV, ignore the extreme left and right. And play your game. Fight your fight for this election."

5. Put up a fight

"This election, for better or for worse, depends on how hard the president fights between now and Election Day," former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

The president sets the tone, Dean said, "and for the president to be out there fighting, as he has been for the last two or three weeks, and sounding like Harry Truman, people love that stuff. They want to see a fighter. They want to see strength in their leaders, and I think President Obama is showing that strength."

Despite the president's low job-approval ratings, polls show most people like him personally. And, Arterton notes, Obama's fundraising ability is a big boost for Democratic candidates.

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