I would argue that Obama did not "fool enough folks to get elected". Those who believed His Every Word were probably predisposed to do it anyway.

Obama, IMO, didn't "win" the election nearly as much as McCain "lost" it. What we're seeing now is that the cover has been pulled off of the results - there's not great Democrat mandate, otherwise elections would have continued going all Blue-y. Scott Brown wouldn't be Senator Brown, it would be Senator Coakley.

When Congress is at something like a 15% approval rating, THAT is telling. But in a national election with only two major candidates, SOMEone has to win.

It was like when Hillary was elected to the Senate. People hailed a 'great victory'. But other knew that she managed to beat, by a not very large margin, the THIRD STRING last-minute replacement Republican after previous candidates were "scandaled" out of the race.

The same can be said for Obama. McCain/Palin couldn't beat a FRESHMAN Senator with NO national experience of ANY kind.