Charles Krauthammer: President Obama's campaign strategy is to maintain empathy gap

His pledge in 2008 of "fundamentally transforming the United States of America" speaks to the largeness of both his ideology and his self-regard. That's the far more plausible explanation of his drive to win, characterized by a ruthless single-mindedness that undid the Clintons in 2008 (and at times unhinged Bill) and that has so relentlessly demonized Romney in 2012.

The millions of dollars devoted to that demonization account for some of that 22-point "empathy gap." Michelle's soap-opera depiction of her husband as a man so infused with goodness that it spills over onto his grateful subjects was meant to maintain the other part of that gap.

I didn't buy a word of it, but as a speech, Michelle's was very effective. After all, what else do you say when you're running for re-election in a land — as described so chillingly the next night by Elizabeth Warren — wracked with misery and despair?

Charles Krauthammer's email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com.