Reply #6: I just think he's not into politics as a team sport. Whereas the rest of us

[TwilightGardener]

view everything through the lens of The Dem Team vs. The Repub Team, who's up and who's down, who's winning and losing, who's getting their way and who's caving. I don't think he generally looks at things that way--and that can be frustrating for those who want clear "victories" for the team with every piece of legislation and every Presidential action. As others have noted, he's more interested in getting stuff done (through compromise, if need be) than in standing on principle. Sometimes it would be nice if he occasionally DID stand on principle and refuse to budge, if only as a morale booster for the team--and that's where good advisors come in. I'm not sure if he has any left--I hope Plouffe can read the pulse of the base better.