That’s the narrative question. The narrative should have been: We may be having our problems economically right now, but we are very clearly forward looking and in tune with the 21st century. Education, broadband and innovation would have filled in that picture.

And there are figures in the administration who could have helped here more than they are. Energy secretary Steven Chu…brilliant man. A strategy should have been crafted to make him a star. He should have been on the cover of Time by now. Missed opportunity.

I did expect much more out of these people. I still think Obama can be an accomplished president. Maybe a great one. Way too early to write him off. But the political thinking in that White House is just way off right now.