The fact that Obama is getting criticism from the left and the right might reflect his understanding of the underlying political dynamics.

Barack Obama won a second term but no mandate. Thanks in part to his own small-bore and brutish campaign, victory guarantees the president nothing more than the headache of building consensus in a gridlocked capital on behalf of a polarized public.

To be fair, my analysis failed to spell out Obama's first-term accomplishments, although I did acknowledge his 'enormous skills' and tried to focus readers on the distinction between good and great presidencies.

A presidential debate is a job interview. And voters look for certain traits in people applying to be president.