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.

In Washington, compromise has become a dirty word.

Every now and then, a presidential candidate surprises us with a truly human and honest moment.

Shock, confusion, fear, anger, grief, and defiance. On Sept. 11, 2001, and for the three days following the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, President George W. Bush led with raw emotion that reflected the public's whipsawing stages of acceptance.

It's a deft trick to turn American exceptionalism into an exceptional political tactic.

You can almost see voters nodding their heads at home: The public's faith in politicians and political institutions has been on a steep and dangerous decline for decades, because elected leaders fail to deliver.

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