The street parties that erupted on the night of the election helped us temporarily forget what many were saying throughout the campaign: despite the rhetoric, the good will, and the obviously historic moment, there was no way Obama could ever live up to his charismatic image built out on the campaign trail.
The President of the United States is casually said to be the most powerful man in the world. The reality is actually much more complicated. Power comes in two flavors: personal and institutional. Here's why this distinction is crucial to understanding Obama's troubles.
