Pixie Dust

Last night the president reminded me of JFK-and Bob Dole. In urging America to take on a new challenge, health care, he sounded like the optimistic leader of Camelot. But when he responded to critics, he sounded like Bob Dole, who snapped darkly at Bill Clinton during his failed campaign for the Oval Office, "Stop lying about my record!"

Which one the voters pin on him is anyone's guess. But pixie dust, once used, cannot be swept up and used again. Obama has left the realm of mythic American messiah and stands exposed as just another politician.