OPINION: Obama could be the Republican MVP

President Obama has long been criticized for his policies, but now more and more people are criticizing him for his conduct as President. There have always been those who dislike him for his affiliations, his controversial history, and even (sadly) for his race. Now Obama is giving people something more-and real to dislike.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - President Obama is being seen by more and more people as a disingenuous, bad faith actor. This perception is key. While the current crop of Republican candidates are being panned as uninspiring, public disillusionment with the administration is also high.

Recently, Peggy Noonan wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, "Not-So Smooth Operator." Noonan calls Obama as she sees him, which is as a deceptive politico.

This matters because the coming election will be close, and Obama's perception will be a critical factor.  

There's a lot to talk about. From Obama's personal war with Catholics, to his hard-line stance against Israel, he's bleeding support. 

Recently, during negotiations with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, he promised "flexibility" on the issue of missile defense - after the coming election. A statement he made with an open mike during what he assumed was a private moment. The gaffe is telling - it suggests Obama is being dishonest with the American people.

Worse, it suggests he's selling out to domestic and foreign interests and his obligation to serve the people isn't being fulfilled. For longtime detractors, this is nothing new, but for former supporters, the realization is upsettingly fresh. 

And the upset grows. His comments on the Trayvon Martin case seemed trivial and self-serving rather than a genuine expression of sorrow and a pledge to see justice served. 

Perhaps President Obama's crowning offense has been, and continues to be, the healthcare debacle which finally saw its day(s) in court last week. While home values decline, unemployment and under-employment remains high, wages stay low amid fears of inflation, and international issues become crises, Obama seems to be able to do little more than make domestic enemies. 

Main Street continues to reel from the recession (Wall Street is just fine, thank you) and Obama's top priority appears to be ensuring women can get free access to birth control and abortifacients. 

Even the "compromise" he put forward to assuage the ire of Christians, particularly Catholics, over the HHS edict seemed superficial and  contrived. Worse, his compromise did nothing to improve the situation either politically, or in reality. 

The public has already lashed out at Obama once. In the 2010 midterm elections America seated a Republican majority in Congress. This has forced Obama adopt centrist positions on many issues, but his concessions are forced and Americans can feel it, and even many of his supporters don't like it. 

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If Obama loses the election in November, few people will mourn. Obama has been given four years, two with control of the House and Senate. Despite that control, Obama could not fix the economy, stave off a growing crisis with Iran, or otherwise improve the quality of life for Americans. It can be debated how much control he actually had over these issues, but had they improved he would certainly be quick to claim credit. 

Even his legacy legislation - healthcare reform, seems destined for disaster. 

We expect Republicans to say and do everything they can to defeat Obama. We do not expect Obama to help them - but so far he's doing a good job.

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