Regardless of the causes, the more polarized political environment certainly creates challenges for governing, as the president's ability to use the bully pulpit may be limited if a substantial minority of the population will ostensibly not support him almost regardless of what he proposes.

Given divided control of government, it may be especially important for the president and other government leaders to inspire Americans to pressure their representatives in Congress to act. And to move forward with legislation to address the nation's biggest issues, Americans and their elected representatives must be willing to both listen to the proposals of those in the other party and to accept compromise.
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Obama loves the bully pulpit in his campaigns as well as his presidential speeches.
He enjoys being the bully in his legislative agendas.

Being a community organizer and where he learned his trade from makes it hard for him to be a leader. Obama could have been among the greatest leaders in American history. But he will not be.

He coulda been a typical Chicago Mayor.
He was weaned on that kinda corruption.