Romney and Democratic rival President Obama have led their partisan backers down a trail of lies, negativity and vacuous policies that seem certain to guarantee an angry electorate four more years of gridlock. Ron Fournier More Quotes by Ron Fournier More Quotes From Ron Fournier According to a Public Policy Polling survey, most Americans find lice and colonoscopies more appealing than Capitol Hill. Ron Fournier capitol-hill lice hills A presidential debate is a job interview. And voters look for certain traits in people applying to be president. Ron Fournier presidential jobs people A concrete agenda and landslide victory might not even guarantee a president his mandate in a capital as polarized as Washington. Ron Fournier victory president guarantees Mandates are rarely won on election night. They are earned after Inauguration Day by leaders who spend their political capital wisely, taking advantage of events without overreaching. Ron Fournier political leader night Got good news and bad news for you, Mr. President. The good news is that Chief Justice John Roberts just saved your legacy and, perhaps, your presidency by writing for the Supreme Court majority to rule health care reform constitutional. Ron Fournier president justice writing Somebody must be up and somebody must be down. Trouble is, campaigns are messy, subtle creatures that don't follow convenient narratives. Ron Fournier narrative campaigns trouble Like a cowboy saddling a bucking stallion, Republican leaders tried to tame the Tea Party while riding it to victories. Ron Fournier cowboy party leader Clearly, the Obama presidency hasn't wiped out racial prejudices. Ron Fournier racial-prejudice presidency prejudice The 2016 presidential election is ripe for the emergence of a game-changing political leader who either dramatically reforms one of the existing parties or mounts an independent bid. Ron Fournier independent party games If acknowledging that racial misgivings and misunderstandings are still a part of politics and life in America, I plead guilty. Ron Fournier misgivings guilty america Election night is the easiest time to act like a grownup. Ron Fournier grownups election night At his best, Obama promised to work with Republicans to reduce the deficit in a way that honors both individualism and community. Ron Fournier community honor way If Mitt Romney is vanilla, Chris Christie is three hefty scoops of Rocky Road topped with whipped cream, Red Bull, and gravel. Ron Fournier bulls red three It's a bit unfair to accuse Obama of dividing the nation when the facts show that it already is. Ron Fournier dividing unfair facts In Washington, compromise has become a dirty word. Ron Fournier naughty compromise dirty Most Tea Party activists consider Obama a big-spending liberal. Some even question his eligibility to be president. Ron Fournier party president tea If history is a guide, a victory for Obama means he faces the prospect of a second term dogged by scandal or inertia. Ron Fournier scandal victory mean I'm hearing echoes of Bill Clinton, circa 1996, in President Obama's reelection rhetoric. Ron Fournier reelection echoes president Historians will likely give Obama credit for steering the country away from the brink of economic collapse in 2009. Ron Fournier credit giving country Obama ran a hard-edged and negative campaign against Romney, hoping to convince recession-weary voters that his rival was unworthy of the job. Ron Fournier campaigns jobs negative