Wednesday's Speech

President Obama has set up a rendezvous with Congress and the people for next week over the health care debate. The stakes are greater than the single bill that he will finally present, they are for the future of his presidency itself and the quality of our politics for years to come. The Republicans are represented by ignorant and increasingly dangerous extremists, and Democrats are starting to doubt the core of their champion. Where is he lately? And I am not referring to his current holiday. At Ted Kennedy's funeral he seemed to be in a distant place, only physically present at the basilica in Boston. He gave a eulogy that was little more noticeable than Bush, Clinton, and Carter were, silent in their pew. Is there a problem we don't know about yet? His passion and his presence are gone somewhere and it does not appear to be on vacation.