So desperate is he to revive the popularity he once enjoyed with millions of voters that President Barack Obama seems willing to throw even Democrat members of Congress under the proverbial bus.
President Obama is involved in a multi-state bus tour as part of his re-election campaign. His theme, as he made clear during his weekly radio address Saturday, is simple: Upset? Blame Congress, not me.
"You've got a right to be frustrated. I am. ... I don't think it's too much for you to expect that the people you send to this town start delivering," President Obama told listeners.
"And if you agree with me, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or not much of a fan of either, let (members of Congress) know," he urged.
President Obama seems to be hoping Americans were not paying attention during the dispute over deficit spending and the debt ceiling earlier this summer. Those who were will recall Republicans in Congress offered a compromise early in negotiations - but it was rejected by President Obama on purely political grounds.
A large part of his no-compromise stance was intended to prevent the need for new debt ceiling action next year. He absolutely refused to allow that, because he doesn't want voters reminded he has been responsible for outrageous deficit spending. Democrats in Congress went along with him but only on President Obama's insistence.
So yes, there has been some gridlock in Washington - but much of it has been of President Obama's making.