TEMPTOS

In the Republican universe, nearly all his policies have been wrong, even dangerous. His economic stimulus plan has been wasteful and ineffective. His bailouts of the banks and the auto companies have been simplistic and unfair to everyday Americans.

His government activism has set America on a path to socialism or worse. His profligate spending has run up vast and dangerous deficits as far as the eye can see. His “dithering” over Afghanistan shows that he is vacillating and weak, emboldening America’s enemies. [Read an exclusive interview with Obama.]

In the Democratic universe, Obama is a godsend. He is rapidly bringing needed change to Washington. His stimulus plan and other actions saved the economy from another depression. His bailouts have stopped a cataclysmic economic slide for crucial industries.

His activism is righting past wrongs and giving the downtrodden and the middle class a lift after years when the rich held sway in Washington. His spending policies, while leading to oceans of red ink, are well-meaning and will eventually deliver dramatic results. His ongoing re-evaluation of U.S. policy in Afghanistan is sensible and recognizes that the fast-changing situation there requires new thinking.

As the nation marks the first anniversary of Obama’s election on November 4, the gap between these two universes is widening with little or no chance of accommodation. But there is another factor—the universe of the centrists. These are the independent and loosely aligned voters who determine so much of American politics and swing from one party to the other.

Last year, they moved heavily to Obama and the Democrats, hoping that this might change Washington and end the polarization there. Since then, the independents have gone sour. They aren’t impressed with the GOP, but they also are increasingly disappointed with Obama and the Democrats. They don’t think Obama’s charisma and goodwill have delivered enough positive results, especially in strengthening the economy, creating jobs, and ending the mortgage crisis.