Obama Sees Less Passion for His 2012 Election Bid

Not cool to support Obama like in 2008

No one will ever accuse President Barack Obama of looking at life through rose-colored glasses. The man at the center of one of the most dramatic and passionate political victories in this nation's history sees a decidedly less dramatic and passionate electorate for his re-election bid in 2012.

Obama put it bluntly last week in a speech to donors in Miami:

"It's not as cool to be an Obama supporter as it was in 2008." 

But isn't this to be expected?

The election of the first man of African ancestry to the White House was a watershed achievement not only for Americans but for people across the world. It is totally understandable that this reelection bid isn't getting people quite as juiced.

First of all, we've learned that Obama can't walk on water or make loaves of bread as some of his earliest supporters seemed to believe. Actually, we learned that he is -- dare it be said -- a politician. Obama has been forced to play bare-fisted, knock-down, back-alley politics to get his policies passed -- and the results of his handiwork are still uncertain.
 
Obama is learning a basic life lesson: when a situation gets too good, you can generally expect it to take a downturn. The same works in reverse: just when things are looking most bleak, they often turn out for the better.

The main thing Obama should guard against is having too many supporters become disenchanted with his presidency between now and election day. Though he looks like a solid bet to win re-election, his margin isn't so wide that he can afford for too many supporters to stay home when they should be voting.

This election season is sure to be a must-see.