Election night is the easiest time to act like a grownup.

Obama does not need to worry as much as past Democratic presidents about being labeled soft on national security - not after giving the order that led to the assassination of Osama bin Laden. No, his biggest concern is being labeled tone deaf on joblessness and debt.

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

Obama is capable - as evidenced by his first-term success with health care reform. But mandate-building requires humility, a trait not easily associated with him.

It's a bit unfair to accuse Obama of dividing the nation when the facts show that it already is.

If Mitt Romney is vanilla, Chris Christie is three hefty scoops of Rocky Road topped with whipped cream, Red Bull, and gravel.

Anything can go wrong in a debate, and Obama is not a perfect debater.