>Yes, the "I'm not a witch" people were a gift that unfortunately stopped giving.
>They're still out there, though, based on what I read about what is said on talk radio and Fox news.
>
>It's comforting to find parallels in history, but we can't avoid the inescapable conclusion that Obama - as much as I agree with 95% of his policy positions- has been a weak political leader.
>I'm not sure that there was a political leader who could have done a better job than he did, but that doesn't change the fact that he failed on his basic "there are no blue states or red states.. just the United States" promise to unite the country.
>If anything, it seems to be more divided now than it was when he took office.
>Yes, there were and still are huge forces opposing him- but that's why we call great political leaders great.. they overcome huge obstacles - and they change historical patterns rather than repeating them.

I don't necessarily disagree but I think much of the problems go deeper. It's not just that he's a weak political leader, he's a weak executive. Actually, he's no executive at all. And worse, he's had people covering for him and carrying tons and tons of water for him. Sure, every leader has his/her share of yes-men, but the minion factor in his administration is off the charts.

The "if you like your plan, you can keep it" has cost his party far more than Bush's "read my lips" gaffe.

I just re-read your last sentence and I agree 100%. We are all agreed that GWB was highly flawed. Well, I'm hearing many Dem analysts saying that what's happening now "happened to Bush as well". That's basically an acknowledgement that the verdict is in - Obama is no better, no more capable, than GWB. Now go back to the election in 2008 as a time traveler and tell everyone that. :)