Obama's big mistake: Not pivoting a la Clinton after his midterm debacle

For a second term he has been calling for more infrastructure stimulus, more unionized teachers and (though he has said it’s harmful in a time of economic sluggishness) higher tax rates on high earners.

Republican strategist Karl Rove had a bit of fun with this last week in his Wall Street Journal column, imagining how a more moderate and compromising Obama would be running well ahead now, as Clinton was at this point in 1996.

Instead, the Obama campaign, with assists from mainstream media and during the months it had a money advantage, has concentrated on demonizing Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. Clinton did this with great effect on Bob Dole in 1996. It hasn’t worked so well this time…

In the meantime, there is evidence that the Democratic Party brand, to use marketing term, is in trouble.