Obama’s happiness deficit

By Fred Hiatt,Washington Post

 Obama does not seem to be enjoying his job

Here’s a theory about why President Obama is having a tough political time right now:He doesn’t seem all that happy being president.

I know,it’s the world’s hardest job,and between war and the world economy collapsing,he didn’t have the first year he might have wished for. And,yes,he’s damned either way:With thousands of Americans risking their lives overseas and millions losing their jobs at home,we’d slam him if he acted carefree.

Still,I think Americans want a president who seems,despite everything,to relish the challenge. They don’t want to have to feel grateful to him for taking on the burden.

I started thinking about this a few weeks ago when Obama confidant David Axelrod,noting that the president always makes time for his daughters’recitals and soccer games,told the New York Times,"I think that’s part of how he sustains himself through all this."

Really? Is the presidency something to sustain yourself through?

He did ask for this job;we didn’t make him take it. And so it seems fair to ask:What part of it does he enjoy? Formulating rational solutions to complex problems,for sure.

But schmoozing with foreign leaders,like President George H.W. Bush? In a column last week,Jackson Diehl pointed out that Obama’s relations with just about every counterpart are prickly.

Read More: