Published for The Washington Post, September 10th, 2010:

Even Democrats who agree with President Obama’s ideology, respect his tenacity and admire his deliberative manner have begun to whisper: Maybe he isn’t a very good politician. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who is genetically incapable of whispering,puts it bluntly: “Ironically, the best communicator I ever saw in a campaign has turned out to be not so good at getting out the message as president.”

It is a remarkable reversal. Obama’s rise from the Illinois legislature to the presidency in four years was a real-deal, honest-to-goodness political phenomenon. I spent some time on the campaign trail with Obama during the primaries, coming away impressed by his earnestness, his touch of formality, his rhetorical ambitions — here a little Kennedy, there a little King. He consistently met the highest objective of an orator, both capturing and shaping the public mood.

It is now difficult to remember much of what he said. Even my notes had mainly to do with his style. But his message had something to do with unity, healing and national purpose. The idiom was compelling. The agenda was, well, beside the point. This image emerged unsullied from a battle with the Clinton machine. Democrats were glad to be along for the ride on the gilded chariot of Obama’s destiny.

Full article here