The public is friggin' ignorant, distracted, easily manipulated, etc. And yes it pains me to admit this of the state where I was raised. Massachusetts democrats should have held their collective noses and voted for Martha. A super majority in the Senate is that important. Frightened people aren't rational, they are emotional and ever so susceptible to the loudest voices in the room.

Most Americans haven't a clue as to what Obama received from the Bush administration and how much he has accomplished: a stimulus package that most definitely took the economy back from the brink of disaster, funding for badly needed infrastructure projects, tax cuts, bank bailouts that are getting paid back, a much needed assist to the auto industry, an end to the unitary executive branch, an end to torture. The stock market has come partially back, states have been given much more leeway with respect to drug prosecution (or hopefully the lack thereof), better relations with Russia, a renewed effort toward a 2 state solution in Israel, a timetable for Afghanistan to get its security house in order, etc.

Obama needs to vociferously and continually state that he GETS that there is a huge problem with deficits and the national debt. He has to forcefully lay out a plan that will eventually lead to a much more responsible fiscal situation BUT make it clear that during a severe economic downturn, the government is the ONLY party with money to spend to stimulate the economy. He furthermore needs to pound it into the public consciousness that if healthcare costs are not contained, we'll soon be working soley to fund our healthcare premiums. That is only a slight exaggeration.

Peter T.