Another lede concluded that the president's "once-dazzling political momentum "has stalled."

A noted columnist captured the pack's mood: "the Washington press corps is suddenly in hot pursuit of "an administration in disarray,' which is coming apart at the seams under " a "detached President.' "

The distinguished dean of Washington columnists opined, "it is becoming increasingly clear"� that the president's marvel "was a one-year phenomenon "� what has been occurring since is an accelerating retreat "� a process in which he is more spectator than leader."�

None of these words was written about President Barack Obama or his administration, however. Rather they were composed to describe the declining fortunes of Ronald Reagan in the election season of 1982,...