At his best, Obama promised to work with Republicans to reduce the deficit in a way that honors both individualism and community.

Obama still has work to do with the vision thing. Convincing voters that he has a credible, practical plan to turn the nation around is a process, not a speech.

Obama might do well to remember that his fast rise from the Illinois state Senate was due in large part to an uncanny ability to make friends and find mentors.

In times of tumult, voters are likely to forgive a president, if not reward him, for compromises made in service of solutions.

If acknowledging that racial misgivings and misunderstandings are still a part of politics and life in America, I plead guilty.

Got good news and bad news for you, Mr. President. The good news is that Chief Justice John Roberts just saved your legacy and, perhaps, your presidency by writing for the Supreme Court majority to rule health care reform constitutional.

A concrete agenda and landslide victory might not even guarantee a president his mandate in a capital as polarized as Washington.