A presidential debate is a job interview. And voters look for certain traits in people applying to be president.
From Ron Fournier
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 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.
At the start of his second term, one wonders less about Obama's fitness than his willingness: Why doesn't he do more to build and maintain the relationships required to govern in era of polarization?
Don't stigmatize in a rush to explain inexplicable evil.
Clearly, the Obama presidency hasn't wiped out racial prejudices.
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.
Obama ran a hard-edged and negative campaign against Romney, hoping to convince recession-weary voters that his rival was unworthy of the job.
A concrete agenda and landslide victory might not even guarantee a president his mandate in a capital as polarized as Washington.
20 perspectives
14 perspectives
13 perspectives
12 perspectives
11 perspectives
3 perspectives
2 perspectives
1 perspectives