Maggie's Farm

Barone is spot on. Obama talks a good talk when it's just him and his teleprompter, but take away his notes or confront his with an able and willing opponent and he's clueless and confused. In 2008, he faced an opponent who was either unable or unwilling to confront him.

Prior to 2008, he was able to hide a great deal of his past - primarily because he really had no accomplishments to speak of - and he used rhetoric and empty slogans pretending to be something he was not. McCain was unwilling to confront the charlatan and expose him for what he really is. As president, Obama's policies and results are more readily seen - even though he's established a significant pattern of blaming those around him and throwing associates, friends and subordinates under the bus - and it's easier to expose his lies and failures.

Jane G makes an excellent observation - Obama does not like public meetings with those willing to confront him and expose him and his agenda. He has an inflated ego, but deep down, even he realizes that he's an empty suit, or as Bill Clinton noted, an "amateur".