I'm not sure whether it was the fact that Obama didn't veto the earmark-laden budget or didn't quite have a new ethic of responsibility with his cabinet but a television commentator explained that it was simply the difference between campaigning and governing.

After all, remember "read my lips, no new taxes"?  It happens.  But when it happens over and over again, we have to consider the fact that a grizzled, veteran Senator may well have had a better grasp on the art of governing.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the administration is "open" to the concept of taxing health benefits to pay for a universal health care system.  Let's revisit the tape:

"'And this is your plan, John,' he said at one debate. 'For the first time in history, you will be taxing people's health-care benefits.' Mr. Obama added that the McCain proposal was 'radical,' 'the biggest middle-class tax increase in history,' 'out of line with our basic values' and that 'the choice you'll have is having your employer no longer provide you health care.' Combined with heavy advertising and Mr. McCain's inability to defend his own ideas, these distortions were highly effective."

Governing and campaigning.