Democrats: Obama Is Too Divisive

The Wall Street Journal opinion page is no stranger to publishing scathing editorials about the Obama administration's policies, but often they are written by conservative think-tankers, GOP politicians and Karl Rove. It's somewhat of a surprise, then, to see two formerly prominent Democratic pollsters, Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen, chastise the president for "dividing" Americans on racial, ethnic and class lines, and further deepening the partisan wedge.

While they make these assertions with "a heavy heart," the Democrats don't shy away from claiming that Obama's policies have "weakened us as a people" and "paralyzed our political culture." Here are the highlights:

On Race

The president had a unique opportunity to focus on overarching issues of importance to whites and blacks. He has failed to address the critical challenges. He has not used his bully pulpit to emphasize the importance of racial unity and the common interest of poor whites and blacks who need training, job opportunities, and the possibility of realizing the American Dream. He hasn't done enough to address youth unemployment—which in the white community is 23.2% and in the black community is 39.9%.

On Class

Mr. Obama has also cynically divided the country on class lines. He has taken to playing the populist card time and time again. He bashes Wall Street and insurance companies whenever convenient to advance his programs, yet he has been eager to accept campaign contributions and negotiate with these very same banks and corporations behind closed doors in order to advance his political agenda.