Hollywood has a history of raising expectations beyond Washington's reach, of appealing to the very American desire to mythologize political leaders, particularly… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt faced adversities that, in their times, seemed impregnable. Great presidents overcome great odds. — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
President George W. Bush won reelection in 2004 largely because he was seen as comfortable in his own skin, while rival John… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
In times of tumult, voters are likely to forgive a president, if not reward him, for compromises made in service of solutions. — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Obama considers himself above deal-making and back-slapping, political necessities he often delegates to Vice President Joe Biden and other lesser sorts. — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
I'm hearing echoes of Bill Clinton, circa 1996, in President Obama's reelection rhetoric. — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
A concrete agenda and landslide victory might not even guarantee a president his mandate in a capital as polarized as Washington. — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Most Tea Party activists consider Obama a big-spending liberal. Some even question his eligibility to be president. — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Andrew Jackson was the first president to claim that the desires of the public overrode Congress's constitutional prerogatives. Virtually every president since… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
By nominating Chuck Hagel to be his Defense secretary, President Obama is putting forward an aloof contrarian who doesn't suffer fools -… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Romney and Democratic rival President Obama have led their partisan backers down a trail of lies, negativity and vacuous policies that seem… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Climate change was a point of division between Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney. The president declared climate change a global threat,… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Barack Obama may have found the answer to his biggest rhetorical challenge: When millions of voters are unemployed or underemployed, how does… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Got good news and bad news for you, Mr. President. The good news is that Chief Justice John Roberts just saved your… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Obama does not need to worry as much as past Democratic presidents about being labeled soft on national security - not after… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
President Obama is casting his lot in the middle of a debate as old as America itself: Are we rugged individualists pulling… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
A presidential debate is a job interview. And voters look for certain traits in people applying to be president. — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Barack Obama won a second term but no mandate. Thanks in part to his own small-bore and brutish campaign, victory guarantees the… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Shock, confusion, fear, anger, grief, and defiance. On Sept. 11, 2001, and for the three days following the worst terrorist attack on… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
Don't kid yourself. President Obama's decision to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan before he stands for reelection is not driven by the… — Ron Fournier Copy Share Image
It's an appeal as old as America and its presidency: This is an extraordinary country populated by hard-working, big-dreaming, freedom-loving people graced by God… — Ron Fournier Copy Share
Christie led the way - with a bulldozer. The governor is blunt, brash, and self-consciously authentic, the antithesis to what turns off today's voters:… — Ron Fournier Copy Share
Political reporters and political professionals rushed to judgment against Romney because we crave clear, unambiguous story lines. — Ron Fournier Copy Share
According to a Public Policy Polling survey, most Americans find lice and colonoscopies more appealing than Capitol Hill. — Ron Fournier Copy Share
Part of the problem is voters know relatively little about Romney. And some of what they know about him complicates his task: Romney has… — Ron Fournier Copy Share
Don't underestimate questions from the crowd; technology has made voters more informed than ever. — Ron Fournier Copy Share
Climate change was a point of division between Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney. The president declared climate change a global threat, acknowledged that… — Ron Fournier Copy Share
The failure of the White House and Congress to seriously address the nation's fiscal situation is certain to broaden the belief among many voters… — Ron Fournier Copy Share
Most political journalists come to Washington because they're snappy writers, big thinkers, or news breakers. Me? My ticket to the big leagues had little… — Ron Fournier Copy Share
One side of the American psyche wants smaller government, lower taxes, and more choices for individuals, even if those choices increase risk. The other… — Ron Fournier Copy Share
