Instead of inspiration and consensus, he bared his ideological fangs and called his way the “moral imperative” highway to “real” (translation: “radical”) change. He couldn’t have been more holier-than-thou as he slipped into his trademark snotty tone to dismiss critics and further ignite partisanship. Instead of elevating the debate, he widened the divide, which I suspect now dooms a health care “reform” bill from passing Congress with any kind of bipartisan support.

Call it “Obama Fatigue” if you’re searching to sugarcoat it and blame others. But this problem goes more to the leader than to the followers. You can bet that after this empty performance, many people now wonder whether our new president is up to the task of ever constructively leading our nation.

Look, if I may be so bold, Mr. President: A nation cannot live on eloquence alone.