Bob Novak, dead at 78. I was a fan, of course, having watched him often over the years on cable TV shows like Crossfire, but I was a reader even before then when he co-wrote one of the best and most influential political columns of the time with his colleague Rowland Evans. If you read any of the tributes, like this one from David Broder, you will get the sense that he was well liked by his peers, and respected deeply by them because of his determination to wear out shoe leather to get the story, and get it right. I met him once, back in 2000 when we were both getting made up in the green room CNN was using at it's Manchester, NH broadcast location during the week before the primary. He was open, friendly, and gave not one ounce of the "I am a media big shot" aura. In fact, it was just the opposite, as he chatted with me as if I was a long-time colleague about the ins and outs of the NH primary. Clearly, he cared about getting the story and getting it right and, as any real reporter knows, digging for information from anyone and everyone is a big part of the job. He will be missed.

The Democrats, sensing the GOP is opposed to most of what they are proposing concerning health insurance reform, have decided to try and pass a bill without bipartisan compromise. This may still prove to be a difficult proposition, as I think many members of Congress are becoming convinced that the anger at town hall meetings back in their districts is not simply the product of GOP and right-wing astroturf groups bringing in paid demonstrators but, rather, a real manifestation of public fear and anger over the direction of the debate.

Most of this is Obama's fault, of course. On the campaign trail he said, and he continues to say, that his health reform will allow us all to keep our plans if we want to, keep our doctors if we want to, and it will extend benefits to those who do not have them, improve service to the rest, and all while lowering costs. That is a ridiculous fantasy, as John Stossel points out.

Michael Goodwin believes we are not seeing the Barack Obama we elected. I believe that is the case because the Barack Obama we elected was a politician talking through his hat on the campaign trail, saying whatever was necessary to get elected, but now finding that he cannot govern the same way he campaigned.

Obama's weakness, and his true, ultra-liberal political agenda, is what is driving his poll numbers down.