But here it was Tuesday morning with Vilsack saying how he had disappointed the administration, the country and Sherrod.

And you used that word on purpose? I asked Vilsack. Because it harkened back to what you promised the president?

Vilsack nodded. “That came to my mind,” he said. And then he straightened up in his chair and said, “And that is why I am working doubly hard.”

And it seems to be working, at least regarding his relationship with the president.

“He has talked to me twice,” Vilsack said. “Once was at his birthday party, and he put his arm around me and he said, ‘How are you doing? You have had a lousy couple of weeks.’ ” (The president actually used a word other than “lousy.”)