Part of the problem is voters know relatively little about Romney. And some of what they know about him complicates his task: Romney has a history of flip-flopping on issues he's extraordinarily wealthy and he can be tone-deaf about what moves voters. He just doesn't seem comfortable in his skin.

Part of the problem is voters know relatively little about Romney. And some of what they know about him complicates his task: Romney has a history of flip-flopping on issues he's extraordinarily wealthy and he can be tone-deaf about what moves voters. He just doesn't seem comfortable in his skin.

If history is a guide a victory for Obama means he faces the prospect of a second term dogged by scandal or inertia.

If history is a guide a victory for Obama means he faces the prospect of a second term dogged by scandal or inertia.

Hollywood has a history of raising expectations beyond Washington's reach of appealing to the very American desire to mythologize political leaders particularly the president.

Hollywood has a history of raising expectations beyond Washington's reach of appealing to the very American desire to mythologize political leaders particularly the president.

Republicans would have preferred the court overturn the health care bill an act that would have underscored Obama's biggest liability – the perception among voters including those who like and trust him that he has been ineffective.

Republicans would have preferred the court overturn the health care bill an act that would have underscored Obama's biggest liability – the perception among voters including those who like and trust him that he has been ineffective.

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 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.

Got good news and bad news for you Mr. President. The good news is that Chief Justice John Roberts just saved your legacy and perhaps your presidency by writing for the Supreme Court majority to rule health care reform constitutional.

Got good news and bad news for you Mr. President. The good news is that Chief Justice John Roberts just saved your legacy and perhaps your presidency by writing for the Supreme Court majority to rule health care reform constitutional.

One side of the American psyche wants smaller government lower taxes and more choices for individuals even if those choices increase risk. The other wants a strong social safety net to protect the weakest among us even if it costs more to minimize risk.

One side of the American psyche wants smaller government lower taxes and more choices for individuals even if those choices increase risk. The other wants a strong social safety net to protect the weakest among us even if it costs more to minimize risk.

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?

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?

AP promoted me to the White House beat because I knew Clinton his family friends and staff better than anybody in the national press corps. Those contacts helped me break a few stories and get my career in Washington jump-started.

AP promoted me to the White House beat because I knew Clinton his family friends and staff better than anybody in the national press corps. Those contacts helped me break a few stories and get my career in Washington jump-started.

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.

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.

With gridlock the norm Congress's approval rating is below 10 percent and the public has lost faith in its national leadership.

With gridlock the norm Congress's approval rating is below 10 percent and the public has lost faith in its national leadership.

The failure of the White House and Congress to seriously address the nation's fiscal situation is certain to broaden the belief among many voters that the U.S. political system is broken.

The failure of the White House and Congress to seriously address the nation's fiscal situation is certain to broaden the belief among many voters that the U.S. political system is broken.