Despite the president’s attempts to be a champion for middle -class families through his constant stream of self-serving assertions and campaign-style speeches, it seems Americans are beginning to feel like the president isn’t really doing anything to help them. The president isn’t facing the ballot again. But his approval ratings and his near-term policy agenda are still relevant for the Democrats facing the ballot in November 2014.

Rather than be sensitive to their popularity and approval ratings on various issues, it seems like the White House is throwing in the towel and turning to anger. Senior White House Adviser Dan Pfeiffer even compared Republicans to terrorists during a CNN interview. Maybe this approach makes the most partisan Democrats give themselves a pat on the back, but the public doesn’t like it.

It appears from the polls that the White House and Democratic leadership strategy of refusing to negotiate with their fellow Americans on the United States’ critical budget and debt issues is not working. Refusing to negotiate in Washington on domestic issues is never the right approach. Republicans are certainly making their share of mistakes, but the White House seems determined to go out of their way to embrace and engage America’s enemies, such as Russia, Syria and Iran. The president was left pining for a handshake from Iran’s president during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, yet he insults and turns his back on Republican leaders in Washington. Voters notice this, and the Democrats can only hope it won’t impact their potential at the ballot box next year.