I'm beginning to see many reasons why Barack Obama may choose not to run for reelection.

1. It became clear early on that Republicans felt it was their "turn" to get even, and had no intention of supporting any Democratic president, let alone this one. Therefore, trying to get anything passed through Congress would be fruitless if Republicans win more seats in 2010 and thereafter. (I doubt the Dems could even get the design of a new postage stamp passed.)  

The partisan gridlock has gone on since Clinton beat Bush 41, with the Republicans seeing red over that embarrassment. Then, with a vengeance, when Republicans got a little power back in 1994, they began an all-out crusade to bring down President Clinton (finally the sex scandal gave them what they wanted). So when Bush 43 was elected, everyone who had loved and supported Clinton finally got even for the Clinton-bashing by non-stop Bush-bashing (except for that brief period of time following the attacks of 911). Sounds childish already, doesn't it?  

By 2008, it was the Dem's turn to win Washington again, and all the Bush supporters turned the tables on those Bush-bashing liberals with even more exaggerated non-stop Obama bashing. And round and round it goes, and nothing gets done except yapping and gnashing of teeth. Eye-for-an-eye politics. How grown up.      

2. Independents may either move to the Republican camp because they're willing to give anything "new" a try that would revamp the economy, and especially the job market. Or they will stay home, thereby giving away the mid-term election to the Republicans who, carrying all their vindictive regalia, will undoubtedly go to the polls in droves. Either way, President Obama's credibility gap will widen even further.      

3. Obama's health care initiative is going nowhere as long as the economy sucks and unemployment continues to remain high. Likewise any energy package. Unless he is miraculously successful with his education reform initiatives, Obama will have no "signature" domestic issue to enhance this chapter of his career.       

4. The war in Afghanistan may still turn as ugly as the war in Iraq did during Bush's mid-term, and he never did recover his popularity and approval ratings thereafter, becoming one of the lamest lame duck presidents in history.  

If all of the above comes about as a perfect storm, President Obama will be looked upon as the "Jimmy Carter" of the 21st Century.  

It was an uphill battle for Obama at the outset. He didn't create, nor is he responsible for the economic mess this country finds itself, but the great masses of people who are suffering are blaming him anyway, and no amount of verbal explanations, projections, and promises are satisfactory. Nor will they be. Ironically, people want CHANGE!   Imagine that.  

If I were to advise President Obama, I would tell him to announce he will not run again shortly after the results of the mid-term election next November. That since he was unable to accomplish anything but fuel the fires of partisan politics, perhaps it's time for some other Democrat to give it a try. Or maybe wish a Republican luck with the same problems, only turned upside down with the Dems becoming the "Party of No" next time. Round 5 anyone? Or is it time to end this nonsense!  

I would advise President Obama that his "legacy" would not be pretty if the economic problems are not resolved. He would forever be remembered as the one who screwed it up (even if he didn't). I would ask him to remember LBJ's history and how he was reviled at the time he chose not to run for reelection, but when history wrote the story honestly, President Johnson was responsible for many of the cherished benefits we now take for granted and in the end he couldn't be blamed entirely for the Vietnam quagmire.  

I would advise him that it's an impossible dream that the power of the Beltway insiders will bend to the warm and fuzzy hope that changing the way Washington does business for the sake of the country is all that's needed, when in reality what's 'needed' by the major power brokers are back room deals to satisfy personal agendas. And if you're not willing to pony up to deal making, then there's always those pesky moles who will sell you out to thousands of Internet buyers (whereas it used to be merely to The Enquirer).  

I would advise President Obama that he seemed to be more effective as a spokesman for the Democratic Party, making a difference one issue--one neighborhood at a time--rather than trying to effect sweeping change (improvements) on a national scale. There is too much hatred; too much bitterness. Let somebody else become the whipping boy.  

Finally, I would advise the President that he would be able to be a better father to his adolescent children at a time they need more guidance than they ever will, and that exposing them to even more of the ugliness that surrounds him (and his wife) would stop.