[81alum]

I would posit that there is a difference between a candidate and an incumbent President.  The latter should, ideally, try at least to present the pretense of representing all the American people.

The "cling to guns and religion" comment that you referenced was, in my opinion, Obama's most divisive comment and I was disappointed in him for making it.  However, he made that remark in April 2008 as a candidate in a tough race against Hillary, not as President, and so by your logic he should get the benefit of the doubt.

When I was a kid growing up my democratic FDR-loving  father caught me badmouthing Richard Nixon.  "Have respect for the office, even if you don't like the man" he said.  "The President is the President of ALL of us.  We lost the last election, and we owe him our respect until there is another."

That is an attitude that has faded, not least because of Richard Nixon's actions.  But if we all (including members of Congress) had a bit more respect for the office and what it symbolized--it would go a fair ways to dampening the partisan spirit that seems to be raging in America. 

[81alum]

I would posit that there is a difference between a candidate and an incumbent President.  The latter should, ideally, try at least to present the pretense of representing all the American people.

The "cling to guns and religion" comment that you referenced was, in my opinion, Obama's most divisive comment and I was disappointed in him for making it.  However, he made that remark in April 2008 as a candidate in a tough race against Hillary, not as President, and so by your logic he should get the benefit of the doubt.

When I was a kid growing up my democratic FDR-loving  father caught me badmouthing Richard Nixon.  "Have respect for the office, even if you don't like the man" he said.  "The President is the President of ALL of us.  We lost the last election, and we owe him our respect until there is another."

That is an attitude that has faded, not least because of Richard Nixon's actions.  But if we all (including members of Congress) had a bit more respect for the office and what it symbolized--it would go a fair ways to dampening the partisan spirit that seems to be raging in America.