Members of Congress go out and get slapped around. They get to look tough. They get to look like they stand for something.

But Barack Obama shows up, and the crowd wimps out. You can’t look tough when your opponents want to pose for pictures with you.

The White House is losing the showmanship battle. The White House needs Obama as Daniel in the lions’ den. It needs the president to show spunk, spirit and resolve…

Why are Obama crowds so polite? Some suggest it is respect both for Obama as an individual and for the office of the presidency. Others suggest that the presence of several dozen armed men and women carrying weapons and speaking into their sleeves has a chilling effect on disrespect.

I don’t know what it is. I do know it is bad news for the White House.