For the outsider, a microcosm of this contrast, his strength in controlling his own party and its agenda, and his crushing loss of support both within his own party and in the opposition party, can be seen in a single oddity of US politics: the special election for the Senate seat in Massachusetts.

The State of Massachusetts is the strongest Democratic stronghold. It almost never votes for the Republican presidential candidate, and hasn't sent a Republican to Congress for a decade.

Moreover the Democratic candidate, Martha Coakley, is the state's attorney general, traditionally a strong office to run for higher office from. The Republican nominee was, until recently, a virtually unknown member from an obscure district.

Initially, the Democrat was ahead by 15 percentage points in the polls, a forbiddingly large lead. In a matter of weeks, this has turned completely, with the Republican now leading in some polls, creating the potential for a shocking upset of the Obama machine, and a sharp rebuke of his policies. The closer Coakley came to Obama, the more her fortunes fell.

Even if she wins, it will set the stage for an election where nothing is safe for the party in power. This would indicate that change is necessary in the policies of the ruling party of the US.

However, Obama shares a characteristic with the man who was in the White House before him: He is rigid and inflexible on matters of policy once he has made up his mind.

The success of Obama's political future rests on whether he can ride out the anger at the slow recovery in the US and win a second term, or whether he is merely a janitor who sweeps up the mess, but is not considered part of the parade.