Saving America v. Saving Obama's Career.

Peggy Noonan:

What are the Democrats to do? If you are stuck with a president, you try to survive either with him or, individually, in spite of him. Some Democrats will try to bring him back. How? Who knows. But that will be a great Democratic drama of 2011: Saving Obama.

The White House itself still probably thinks the Republicans can save him, by overstepping, by alienating moderates. But so far, on domestic matters, they're looking pretty calm and sober. They didn't crow at the tax compromise, for instance, even though they knew the left is correct: It wasn't a compromise, it was a bow. To reality, but a bow nonetheless.

Surviving -- individually -- in spite of him.

Sometimes I think, it would have been best had President Obama not promised so big, because it makes folks lose faith. Who can believe what this administration says now, when they've broken so many promises already? (ie/ No tax cuts for the rich. End DADT.)

Who will believe Democrats promising the same in the future? It's like the hopeless corruption of Chicago politics -- where the only way out is to get out -- has infected the country as a whole now.

Cynicism reigns, and good people wither. Corruption kills not only hope, but any simple dreams of true ... change.