Obama's problem is less a matter of politics, more a matter of personal temperament. He just doesn't have the temperament to be an effective President. He doesn't have any empathy for people, nor any understanding or acceptance that being President requires the incumbent to relate to his fellow Americans on a level of personal understanding. It shows in his style: He's a fine orator, but a poor communicator. Oration is one-way downward, which suits him. Communication is two-way and involves listening, which doesn't even register on Obama. Communication is what made Reagan a hero to the same people he screwed.

Obama treats major issues as problems to be managed by his "experts," behind closed doors--not as opportunities to engage people and listen to their views. He knows he's smarter than everyone else--and it's your bad if you aren't as smart as he is. Small but telling example: he knew well in advance that Standard & Poors was going to downgrade America's credit rating. But, "smart" guy that he is, he knew it wouldn't have any real financial effect on Americans. So he said nothing. Never occurred to him that the average American would see it as another example of our nation's decline. Four days later, after a huge amount of angst and a big stock market decline, he finally spoke up. It's the same with other issues and opportunities he's ignored. He just doesn't relate to people. That includes Congress. His apologists berate Congressional "obstructionists," and yes, there are many. But, Bill Clinton had years of GOP control of both houses of Congress, and he got most of what he wanted. He liked people, and he liked politics. Obama likes neither.

Columnist Peggy Noonan put it well: "Obama regards the Presidency as an inconvenience on his way to greatness."