In Times Of Tumult, Voters

The Fact That Obama Is Getting Criticism From The Left And The Right Might Reflect His Understanding Of The Underlying Political Dynamics.

Obama Won The Presidency On The Strength Of His Message And The Skills Of The Messenger. Now The Talk Of Hope And Change Feels Out Of Tune When So Many Americans Are Out Of Work, Over-mortgaged, And Worried That Life Will Be Even Tougher For Their Children.

It's An Appeal As Old As America And Its Presidency: This Is An Extraordinary Country Populated By Hard-working, Big-dreaming, Freedom-loving People Graced By God When They're Not Pulling Themselves Up By The Bootstraps.

Don't Kid Yourself. President Obama's Decision To Withdraw 33,000 Troops From Afghanistan Before He Stands For Reelection Is Not Driven By The United States' 'position Of Strength' In The War Zone As Much As It Is By Grim Economic And Political Realities At Home.

Blending Hard-bitten Realism With Long-view Optimism, Obama Said That Every 20 Or 30 Years Brings A New Cycle Of Pessimism In America.