the president also has to tell us where he wants to take america in the second term. pat's right. he's just been relentlessly negative. he hasn't set out broad themes and specific policies for the future and he has to be humble and acknowledge that not everything has been perfect but ultimately the choice redounds to the democrat's benefit. >> i agree with doug. what we are saying is he's got to say i learned some things. things didn't work out. he has to acknowledge that and say i am grow and show the reason the simpson-bowles which doug has been articulate about, it was a good plan and he threw it under the bus. he needs to bow back and revisit it. people have positive feelings about a president they are willing to hear this. but this relentless negative is wearing on the public and swing voters in particular, i believe.