The president is a polarizing figure whose reelection is imperiled by his handling of the nation’s No. 1 issue. However, he’s blessed with an opponent who is easy to attack — a rich Massachusetts patrician with seemingly flexible convictions and a personality that impedes any visceral connection with voters.

But enough about George W. Bush and John Kerry. …

The Obama strategists should be sending royalties to Karl Rove, because they’re clearly working his playbook. They don’t want this race to be a referendum on President Obama’s stewardship of the economy; they can ill afford that, given the numbers. They want it to be a choice between two candidates, and they want to frame that choice to their advantage.